A Thief In The Night

Last night after lights out my little monkey (AJ age 7) came into my studio (teeny tiny work corner) and requested yet one more glass of water. After many, many interruptions post last nights final good-night I suggested he could retrieve a glass of water himself. After a few minutes he returned saying he thought he would get another. Seeing this going sideways I told him to return to his bed (I wanted to say "go to your quarters", and pull a full on drill Sergent routine)

Some time later...

I was finally trolling the kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer attempting to nourish my weary body( ok sorry slightly dramatic moment) when I was standing blankly in front of the open freezer when I thought, hmmmm something doesn't look right, hmmmm there is something missing, hmmmm could it be that there is now only one not two chocolate bunnies!

soooo...

How does one handle this?

#1. confront the post bedtime chocolate burglar?

#2. wait patiently for a confession?

#3. repeatedly open the freezer in his presence and stick your head in as far as possible making him squirm, wiggle, look sheeishly in every direction but your unwavering eyes and of course smile broasdly at him the whole time!

yep #3 it is!

I repeated this action morning, after school and twice during dinner. I almost had the guilt break him during homework but no he festered in his deep seeded guilt until bedtime.

When I sat quietly on the side of his bed and I asked him how he was, I looked him deep in the eyes and said "AJ I am really wondering...long pause... I noticed something missing in the kitchen today, I was wondering if you could maybe help me with what it might be?"

Shuffle, shuffle hide nervous smile.

Here comes the worst part.

He somberly sits next to me as says "yes last night when I went to get a drink of water I was so so hungry I took a granola bar."

Stumped. So I went out on a limb.

Realllly a granola bar and then it happened, he crumbled.

AJ "No I took the the Easter bunny (and then it all flowed quickly from his nmouth) and I ate the whooolllleee thing!"

You know some successes feel pretty lousy. The truth is messing with your kids head is good but even better is when you have a good talk about how no matter what they do you will love them even if you are mad for a little while. They look at you with young, understanding, loving eyes and curl into your arms and say "I'm sorry, I love you mom"