Ah yes, I’ve waxed on and off about the sensitive nature of my son. And it was apparent again today.
First day back to school after March break. Not an easy day for any of us, but made all the more difficult by the Husband heading off to Saskatchewan for three days (the house is sad and lonely without him) and treacherous weather – I’m talking bleak cold and rain, like a Bronte novel but without the moors or Heathcliff.
Kids were dropped off and then I waited. For the phone call. The inevitable one that comes from the school after any absence of more than three days by my son. The call came (I love it when my predictions are validated – reassuring that I know something about my kids’ brains) at ten thirty, just as i was pondering on what to feed the Baby for lunch.
” [The Boy] is really not feeling well, and would like to come home.”
“Is it sick-not feeling well or I-still-want-March-break not feeling well?”
“We don’t know. He says his stomach hurts. Can you come here to get him?”
Baby and I went off on our usual rescue mission. In the school office, I saw him there, big round eyes, brimming with tears, and a small, small face.
“I told you I hate boiled eggs. Why did you make me eat mine?” (Did I mention that the Boy turns into a huge Blamer when he’s grouchy and overtired? Gets that from me.)
“Are you sick?”
“Not really. But the boiled eggs were yucky.”
We went for a drive, had a ginger ale, and chatted about what we’d do after school. I placated him with promises of more DS time and Tim Horton’s hot chocolate. I hate to resort to bribery, but it is oh-so-effective. After that, he was ready to go back to school.
My 14 year old son…used to “get sick” and of course, I would say “stay home”.
Then I realized that he had a test on that day or something was due on that day.
I know better now, and ASK before I give the OK for him to stay home.
Lesson learned.
Awww! Poor guy! But clearly you’ve gotten used to this scenario. Glad he felt ready to go back after a little Mom/comfort time.
And I’m a grouchy blamer, too. 🙂
I get the same kinds of calls from my daughter’s school. The school always thinks she’s deathly ill, but I KNOW she’s just anxious about something. I use bribery too… during a particularly bad period of frequent calls from the school earlier this year, I promised her a Webkinz if she went two weeks without calling. During and after the two weeks, we talked about what she did to resist the urge to call and encouraged her to continue those strategies anytime she was feeling anxious. So far, so good.
Haha… funny!