Kristen McLane

Posted by Kristen McLane on May 6th, 2008 in Daily Life, Family, Kids, Relationships

We were walking home today from picking Megan up at school when Paul stopped and decided that he couldn’t walk any further. This is an old tactic that Paul uses when he wants to be carried. I believe that parents should pick their battles and in this situation there was nothing physically wrong with Paul. I’ve given in one too many times before. Paul is a strong, healthy four year old completely capable of walking (we were only three houses away) so I decided to offer him two choices. Walk. Or be left behind.

I had already determined not to give in to Paul’s demands when Megan approached and offered, “I’ll carry him.” Without waiting for an answer she walked up to Paul and embraced him in a bear hug. She then took a deep breath, lifted Paul off the ground and with all her strength carried him towards the house. A few minutes later they made it to the driveway. Paul’s crocodile tears had turned into giggles and we all had a good laugh. I can’t say that Paul learned any good lessons (on the contrary learned that he could manipulate his sister) but a part of me is proud of Megan for going to the length that she did to care for her little brother.