Parenting Failure!

Most days, I think that Matt and I do a pretty good job parenting. We are FAR from perfect I realize, but we do try. Well, just when you think you are doing an awesome job, count on your little one to put you in check. My little Katie does have a way with keeping us humble - ha!

Last Friday after preschool, Katie was playing with several friends on the playground. In fact, there is a big group that usually stays after preschool to give the kids some outdoor activity, exercise, and social time. One of Katie's friends Sam knew that Katie had a heart doctor'a appointment the following Wednesday. Sam has spent some time in the hospital/doctor's office himself, so he thought he would do something nice for Katie in preparation for her surgical consult. Such a sweet little boy, he picked out a monkey for Katie to take with her to the appointment --- so that if she got scared the monkey would protect her and keep her safe.

So, out on the playground --- Sam walks over with his mommy and says "Katie, I know you have a doctors appointment coming next Wednesday and I got this for you so you won't be scared." And what did my little one say in response.... "No, I don't like monkeys!" I. AM. Not. Joking. When poor little Sam tried again to give her the monkey she said "No Way!" [SERIOUSLY?!?!?]

I didn't see this personally because mom was picking Katie up from school that day. In fact, mom didn't even know what had happened until Katie later retold the full story to us. Talk about being 100% disappointed in Katie's behavior --- not to mention embarrased. In Katie's defense....we had not discussed the doctor's appointment very much prior to Sam and his mother mentioning it. So, she may have been a bit caught off guard. And Katie is definitely the type to fire back something NOT nice when you catch her off-guard. But those are NOT excuses to do something so unbelievably rude and mean to a sweet little boy who did something so very nice for her. When I asked Katie why she refused the monkey, she said she didn't like it because it had a red bow attached --- and red bows were for boys, not girls. Are you kidding me???

Katie spent the entire afternoon having to explain her behavior to Nana, me, and Matt. She was also asked to write an apology letter and card to Sam. Plus, we took away two of her usual privileges. I have to say, it was a pretty low parenting moment for both Matt and I. I explained to Katie that every single time someone gave her a gift, she must say thank you and be polite. Even if she didn't like the gift. Somehow, I thought we had discussed this simple point of social tact previously --- either we hadn't, or it didn't sink in! Sam and his mom were gone this past week on vacation, so we haven't had a chance to make our apologies yet. I'm really hoping they understand. I'm also hopeful that Katie has learned her lesson. And most of all, I hope that Katie didn't hurt sweet Sam's feelings with her rude behavior. I've never seen Katie be so mean before, and its a truly wretched thing.