deep down

Today The Boy pushed The Babe off of a step stool she was sitting on because he thought he should be the one sitting there. The Babe hit the floor hard, and whimpered. I could tell she was actually hurt, it wasn't one of her dramatic "NBA player trying to get the ref to call a foul" moments. He pushed her, she fell, it hurt.

I immediately asked The Boy why he pushed The Babe, and he says nonchalantly "My don't know", as though it doesn't really matter. The important thing is now he is sitting on the stool and not her. I told him to tell her that he was sorry, and he declined. I told him he was to apologize or get a time out, and still, he declined. So, time out it is.

The Boy really dislikes time out. He acts like a total tough guy when you are threatening it, and even as you pick him up to take him to the time out spot. He'll look me right in the eye and say "take my away, mommy, take my away", as though it's a dare. As soon as he's in the spot and I turn to leave, though, it hits him. It's really time out. I have to sit here for 2 whole minutes! And the screaming and crying begins. Lately, it's "Mommy!!!! My scared!!!!" to try and get me to come in before the 2 minutes are up. This is how it was this evening; The Boy screamed and cried himself into a frenzy for his 2 minutes.

I went in, as I always do, when the 2 minutes were up. I sat next to him and calmly asked him if he knew why he was placed in time out, and told him he needed to tell The Babe he was sorry for pushing her the way he did. We were about to get off the sofa to go find The Babe so he could do just that when The Babe walks in the room. She is carrying The Boy's beloved blankie, his "babies" as he calls them. He looks at her, his poor face all wet and red and splotchy, and says "My sorry, Dizzy". She hands him his babies, which he eagerly accepts, and says to me "I wanted to make him feel better. He's so sad." The Boy had such a look of appreciation, and he leaned forward and hugged The Babe.

How is it possible that I have such a sweet and thoughtful little girl? He's in time out because he shoved her, hurt her, and refused to say sorry.... and she wanted to make him feel better because time outs make him sad. They really are sweet to each other, deep down. I know I've had a hard weekend, but moments like that really help me keep it in perspective.

I really do love The Kiddos.