Oh trust me, it was hilarious. But let me start from the beginning.

Thursday: A hairy day. The kids were ornery and fussy, and one in particular was doing everything in his power to tease and push my buttons. To be fair, he hadn't been medicated that day. He was overdue for his Psych appointment and needed to be seen before his prescription could be refilled. So he was, shall we say, rather energetic (an understatement, believe me).

As I prepared for dinner Grant decided it would be funny to go out the front door, which would lock behind him, then incessantly ring the doorbell or pound on the door until I open it. He knows full well that the side door is open for him, but he seems to think this is much more fun. Usually I ignore it so I don't reinforce the behavior, but being worn down from the day, I let him back in to cut short the act. Besides, I didn't want to cause a neighborhood scene from the constant banging and ringing.

I turned back to the complicated recipe I was trying to follow, and my son decided it was a perfect time to pull the same stunt. I ignored him this time, and he was none too pleased. After five minutes of ringing and banging, he came around the side, entered the kitchen, and proceeded to behave rudely and spoke in a way that was meant to be hurtful. Not trusting my ability to react calmly, I locked him in his room until I could get a level head.

It occured to me at this point that I had a selfish child who wanted his every whim to be satisfied. If it wasn't, he would lose his temper and speak rashly. He had no idea  the hurt he was causing other people, not to mention his lack of consideration for other's needs (particularly mine). Hmmm...perhaps walking a mile in his mother's shoes might set him straight. His dad and I informed him he would be Mom-for-the-day tomorrow, then sent him to bed early without dinner.

Friday: My son was eagerly waiting to serve breakfast to his hungry family (apparently he thought this little role reversal might be fun). I bounded into the kitchen demanding my waffles, buttered and with syrup, and something to drink. Grant was pleased as punch to serve me. He placed my breakfast before me, as my daughter happily munched away on a bagel. Son #2 stumbled in soon after and plopped down beside me. My daughter, seeing my yummy breakfast, decided the bagel just wouldn't cut it. She shoved it over to Son #2 for him to finish off. So Mom-For-The-Day prepared a couple more waffles. My daughter then asked me for a drink. I told her "sorry, can't do it. Ask your brother." It was at this point that big brother was starting to feel overwhelmed. After all, he hadn't eaten yet and had been trying all this time to make some chow for himself. Finally he pushed some waffles toward her and stuffed a couple more into the toaster. "Tell me when they pop up, okay Mom?" 

It was Son #2 who was next to decide he wanted what everyone else was having. Here's how it played out:

Son #2: Mom, I want waffles now. I don't want this bagel anymore.

Mom: Sorry buddy. can't do it. Ask your brother. He's in charge today.

Son #2: (Turns to older brother.) I want waffles!

Mom-For-The-Day: Just a second! I can only do one thing at a time!

Daughter: (Spills drink everywhere), Oh no! I'm all wet!

Mom-for-the-day: Oh great! NOW I have to clean this all up!

Son #2: I want a drink too!

Just then the waffles pop up.

Mom: Waffles are ready!

Mom-for-the-day: Aaarrrgh! (goes to corner and bangs head against wall in despair).

I finally had to leave the kitchen before I split a seam!  Honestly, I don't think I could have scripted this to go any better than it did, and I couldn't thank my daughter enough for her clumsiness. It was a nice touch.

For the rest of the day my son had a rather lengthy checklilst of duties to fulfill. he vacuumed, did several loads of laundry, wiped down sinks and tables, supervised others' chores, sweeped the kitchen, responded to sibling requests, and cleaned up some pulled weeds I had left in the driveway. He did manage to get in a little play time, albeit with the many interruptions that usually plague my own moments of relaxation.

At the end of the day, his father and I sat him down for a talk after the other two went to bed. It was clear he had learned his lesson and was rather remorseful. Now, I don't aspire to think that this has been a cure-all. Selfishness is not easily squelched. But today during moments of griping or disobedience I would simply say, "oh, do we need another 'MOM' day?" That put him back in line.

My only regret is that I didn't capture it all on film.

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