Written Punishment, Verbal Apology

 

I'm such a meanie.

And I hate it.

But what to do?  I have a kid who only learns by the meanie method.

Bummer.

My daughter has not seen fit to listen for her carpool number for four days now.  Each day, someone has had to go retrieve her, while I wait in the dreaded "waiting lot."  That's quite a few people inconvenienced just because a certain six year old isn't paying attention.   

I started out nicely reassuring her that she would hear it the next day, "Don't worry,"  I said.

Nope.  

After the second time, I told her to listen harder; if her brother could hear it, so could she.

Nope.

After the third time, I told her she had better hear that number if she didn't want to be left there.  Judging by the tone in which I said it, perhaps staying at school didn't seem all that bad of a proposition.

Nope.  Missed again.

So today she is in real trouble.  Harsh tones and punishments.

Right now, my daughter sits at the kitchen table, under duress, writing letters of apology to the carpool team at school.  At the rate she prints, she may be there until bedtime.

Such a meanie I am, but this is what my daughter requires in order to apply herself.   

Why must some kids learn the hard way?

Don't they realize how hard it is on their parents?

No, I know they don't.

I should know, I was just like this when I was her age.

I have to go call my mother now . . . and apologize.