A good mom

This week we wrapped up our first session of 2010 swimming lessons. Traditionally, on the last day of any activity, I allow the kids one special "treat" for finishing the event. It's really not so much of a celebration or reward, as much as a tactic that allows me to walk past those stupid jaycees candy machines or random vending outlets amid the chorus of "momcanipleasepleaseplease" with the promise "on the last day". At the Y it is sprees or peanut m&m's. At soccer it is laffy taffy. At Loras swimming it is pop. You would have thought I had promised each child an all expenses paid visit to Disneyworld, so excited were they about the promised 20 oz. bottle of pop. They bubbled and fizzed in the backseat about what kind they would get, how much they would finish before and after, whether they would all get different kinds and share or keep their own to themselves. Then Grace realized that at the end of this particular swimming lesson, the teachers typically give each child some sort of treat (usually fruit snacks). In her most big sisterly voice, she instructed the others: "You can either have pop or the treat from your teachers."

An eruption of whining followed. "Mo-om--you PROMISED we could have pop." On and on. I was tired (the queen is teething and sleeping poorly) and distracted. I ignored. I said no. I agreed with Grace. Finally, I gave in. After all, I had said they could have pop before I remembered the stupid teacher's treat. "You can have pop, too," I caved.

"Mom!" Grace protested. "A good mom would only let us have one or the other." Nice.

While cleaning out the swim bag in the laundry room after lessons, I decided on a whim to check the size of Sam's trunks. He's been wearing the same ones for at least 3 summers (my little man doesn't grow fast--though he is healthy and average in height and weight). He has a new pair, but he prefers the older ones which are still in remarkably good shape. I could barely read the faded, curled up tag.

2T.

Sam is 6 and pretty much wears size 6 everything. Why do they make boy's shorts so big for the size? Would a good mom allow her child to wear trunks that (according to the tag) are 4 sizes too small? I guess I wouldn't know.