averygoodun42

Is it possible to get through to a child the concept of 'energy'?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Babe was a nightmare after school today. Absolute nightmare. I had to pick him up (carefully, to avoid the wildly swinging, booted feet) three times in trying to get him into the car at school ("I CAN DO IT MYSELF!!!" he yelled, because he absolutely refused to hold anyone's hand), then there was wrestling to try and get him to stay in his seat, and then, when I got tired enough of getting hit that I was about to snap, I decided that he might as well do it all by his bloody self, so I went round to my side, telling him he'd better get in and do it all himself because I was leaving.

He did get in. He refused to buckle himself up. ("I CAN'T DO IT MYSELF!!!!" he screamed, after all those claims for independence.)

*deeeeeeeep breath*

So, anyway, that combined with the baking/cooking I had to do immediately upon getting home finds me rather tired. I still have a lot to do, but then there is a boy demanding demanding DEMANDING my attention.

So, finally I get the inspiration to tell him about energy. I'm pretty sure this isn't something that has been broached before, but it's an important lesson that needs to be learned. Soon. I tell him that I have this much energy *holds fingers apart three inches* per day, whereas he normally has this much energy *hold arms about three feet apart* a day. But I only have that little bit of energy. And when he acts out and I have to deal with his temper tantrum, I use about an inch of energy. Each time. If there's energy left over after dealing with his outbursts, then I have to use it to do everything else around the house that needs to be done.

Which means there is NO FREAKING ENERGY LEFT for playing.

Shortly after that, he deliberately dumped some water on the living room rug, so I shooed him outside. He came back in claiming he had too much energy for outside (an indicator of how much he didn't get it), and so I suggested he go watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. That seems to be just the right amount of energy usage for him.

I love him, but sometimes, I'm not sure why.

ETA: My horoscope today: Someone has been preaching at you for too long. Tell them to leave you alone today.

Hahahaaaaahaha!