So I don’t know whether it’s just because Georgie is getting to be a bigger boy now and not a littler boy, but he seems to be stepping up his domination quotient a bit lately. As fun as that may sound, it usually results in lots of loud “Georgie, stop that!” from the girls and/or his Dad or me. Oh the joy!

I’ve been pondering this thoughtfully, trying to come up with responses appropriate to bigger boys. Yesterday he and I had a talk about being a benevolent ruler. I don’t have a problem really with him trying to rule. I’m fairly sure that just naturally comes with that spiffy ‘y’ chromosome. God made men for dominion, and this 10-year old stuff is training for the grown-up version (that’s what I tell myself anyway). He does need to be kind in his leadership though and not just obnoxious in all the various ways he can come up with to do so.

That was the subject of our conversation this morning. I told him that every time he gets into it with one of the girls, I was going to call him over and have him go think up and do two kind, useful things for whoever he offended and then come back and tell me what he did so that he can practice leading through serving. The idea sort of has a restitutionary quality to it as well except that it’s behavioral instead of with physical items that you’ve stolen.

Anyway, he agreed that this sounded like a good idea and was very relieved to discover that this new response was not charging him a quarter every time he’s yucky to his sisters. Ha ha! Now I know your Achilles Heel, Georgie. I’ll just have to file that one away for future evil reference….

So this morning the kids were out cleaning up the mess they made in the garage, and when they were finished Georgie and the older two girls bounded up to me all excited to tell me their new plan.

Trinity: Guess what? I get to be Georgie’s slave for a week!

Anika: Yeah, and then after that it’s my turn and I get to be Georgie’s slave for a week!

Me: Oh really. And when does Georgie get to be your slave?

Georgie: What??

Me: You weren’t planning to be their slave at all? Oh, well then you get to be the slave first.

Georgie: Well that’s not happening.

Me: You shouldn’t ask them to do something you aren’t willing to do first. That’s what we were talking about this morning. Remember? Servant leadership?

Georgie: Okay, we won’t do slaves then.

Ridiculous children! Apparently it was Georgie’s idea for the girls to be slaves (which I assumed), but he was just going to have it be for a day. They opted for the extension. Ridiculous children! At least the garage is cleaner.

RAchel

Written by Rachel Shubin ~ Fiendish friend for effusive fun!