Disappointment

Yesterday I picked AJ up at daycare and he hollered out, "Patrick!!"  He was referring to our plan to go to Patrick's house, but what he didn't know was that plans had changed.  We weren't going to Patrick's house and when I told him that I watched the news devastate him. I seriously physically watched his body shrink, a frown happen, and quietness overcome the little guy.  For those first few moments I wanted to do whatever I could to correct the situation. In my head I was running through ways to get AJ to Patrick no matter what. And then I realized we had a life lesson on our hands. 

Throughout my career and life I have been a witness to various ways that families treat events of disappointment with their children. I've seen all ends of the spectrum, from children who are constantly disappointing their children to parents who bulldoze/helicopter any situation so that their children are free of experiencing any type of disappointment. Obviously, I want somewhere in between for my kids.

So instead of giving AJ exactly what he wanted we talked about it. We explored his emotions of being sad, because he really wanted to see Patrick. We talked about how it's such a bummer that plans don't always work out. And then we made a plan to see Patrick another time. Lastly, we decided to make the evening into a good one-thus learning the skill of rolling with punches.

We/me are not perfect by any means...but I feel like this was a win for us. Instead of rescuing AJ from the feeling- we went with, explored it, and practiced some coping skills. 

Poor AJ-living with a Mom therapist! ;) Hopefully he doesn't get too sick of me...:D

-Momma