Cleats

My 8 year old decided he had to play tackle football this year.  I have no idea what inspired him; we don't have cable television so he hasn't been watching it on TV.  I did take him to a high school game once but that was two years ago.  Regardless, even though it's not something I'm really thrilled with, I let him pursue the sport.  First we had to get cleats.

I try really hard not to bring both boys on errands with me.  My 5 year old predictably wants something, usually candy, when we go shopping.  It takes a lot of preparation and patience getting in and out of a store with him.  For the most part I can manage, but with both it's a nightmare.  So there we were, at our local sports store picking out cleats for my 8 year old.  "I need cleats too," said my 5 year old.  And there they were, little lime green cleats for kids' soccer.  "But honey," I pointed out, "you only lasted one practice last year.  If you want cleats, you have to promise to play the whole season."  Of course the promise meant nothing but I needed something to justify the purchase.  He was so excited when he tried them on.

And it gets better!  This particular cleat came with a special - shoes, shin pads, and a soccer ball for only $50!  He was in heaven and I couldn't go back.  I ended up spending $100 on what was supposed to be a $40 visit.  (The clerk sold me on socks too.)  My 8 year old was a bit disgruntled that his brother got more than he did.  After all it was supposed to be his trip to the store.

When we got home my 5 year old went in the back yard to practice.  Days later when my 8 year old came home with his new football jersey, my 5 year old wanted to know where his was.  I have to admit seeing my oldest in full football gear is adorable.  Now he can't wait for kindergarten to start so he can play soccer and get his jersey (t-shirt.)  The count down is on but the best part is he's been practicing in the back yard every day.  Meanwhile, my 8 year old announced last night that football is boring and he doesn't want to play anymore...

The Joy of One

Boy did I get lucky this weekend.  My 8 year old son spent the weekend away with a friend and we only had the 5 year old.  What a difference!  It was so easy!

My 5 year old was in heaven.  He was so calm, relaxed, talkative, fun-loving, and just plain cute.  We snuggled, played, he ate all his meals without a fuss, and I think he slept longer too.  Normally he’s a bit more difficult.  He gets into everything, demands his own way, follows me around (always seems to hang at the bathroom door), wakes up early on weekends (late during the week), and has at least one mega tantrum which involves knocking all the refrigerator magnets to the floor and throwing a few nearby items.  But not this weekend!  Well, not until his brother came back home.

And then the serenity was gone.  The second the Primo walked in the door, little Secundo, who was excited to see him, handed him a toy we bought at the grocery store.  Primo's had a Patriot’s logo on it, Secundo’s was Red Sox.  First thing Primo says is not “Thank you” but “I don’t like the Patriots” and he threw it on the floor.  Next Secundo went to give Primo the piece of candy we saved for him and that wasn’t good enough either.  Then Primo got made that he couldn’t watch Terminator 2 at that exact time.  And all within 10 minutes.  There are lots of reason he couldn’t watch T2, mainly that we don’t actually have it, but no need to elaborate here.  He stormed up to his bedroom and the three of us had no idea what just happened.  So, we went back to doing whatever it was we were doing and after a while he came back down.

Crazy dynamic.  I had always thought that Primo was the easier of the two boys but now I see that they’re both wonderful in their own way, it’s just when they’re together that parenting becomes so stressful.  Unfortunately, that’s the majority of my day.  But I’m on to something here.  I’m paying a shrink $25/week to figure out Secundo.  I already know he’ll be on an IEP this fall for speech so I don’t think I need to pay for a second opinion.   His manic tantrums and selfish behavior could be stemming from the classic need for attention.  Could it be so simple?

I’ll bring it up with the shrink.  In the meantime, I’ve seen a little light on the situation and will approach the chaos from a new perspective.  The easy solution would be to just get a bigger house.  For now, I’ll divide my time better between the two of them and with any luck have more weekend sleepovers.