But I don’t WANT to go home!
My 4-year-old son had his first unaccompanied play date yesterday. A friend from his daycare invited him over, and I dropped him off at their house for an hour. It was nice to let him play and not be constantly hanging around the kitchen while I’m cooking. Children are like ravenous piranhas after school, let me tell you. The only way to get them to stop whining is to cram an apple in their mouths. 
Anyway, on the drive to the friend’s house, I drilled him on being polite, using good manners, and making sure to keep his shoes off inside. I thought I had covered my bases. Um, not so much.
You see, I had forgotten to rehearse the procedure for picking him up. My son truly believed he would be able to stay with his friend for as long as he wanted. 
When I came to get him, he denied it, saying, “No, it’s not time to go home.” Then of course, the royal fit. 
The melodrama! The agony! The Evil Mommy who is taking him away from his FRIEND! And worse! The boy had Star Wars Legos!! :starwars: How dare I take him away from such bliss??!
With physical force, and a great deal of whining. 
Next time (if there IS a next time!) I’ll know better. But for those of you who are parents, what would you suggest? What do you say to make sure the kids don’t act like little beasts when it’s time to leave?
Also–Lost is on tonight! What will happen to Michael?
And I think either Elliott or Katherine will go home tonight on American Idol. Everyone was going on about how great Elliott is. Not so sure about that. I like his voice but not the style of music he does.
On the writing front…it’s been suspiciously quiet from Agent Land. And Publisher Land. But at least I have half of another book finished! 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:10 am | Viewed 2787 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Woo Hoo on having half of another book finished
Kelly Says:
I can’t wait to see Lost tonight!
I catch American Idol if there is nothing else to do and I just don’t get Elliot. I don’t think he’s that good. Seems like a real nice guy, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy an album from him.
Peggy Says:
Hard to say who’s going home. Probably Elliott, since it seems he’s next in line, but Katherine didn’t do so well on her second song (though I thought the first was great, contrary to Simon).
As for children not wanting to come home—blackmail. Seriously. Warn them ahead of time if they are a good little boy, they will be rewarded with a cookie (or something like that).
Melissa Says:
I have to agree. Blackmail and distraction work wonders.
Stacy Says:
Ah yes, I’ve had this lovely experience myself. Now I add the ‘when it’s time to go home’ speech to the one on manners etc before we get there. It’s still fifty fifty though on working.
Melissa Mc Says:
Can’t wait for LOST!
As for playdates or park visits, yep, it’s happened to me. But no longer. I tell them how long they will have when we get their. I will give them a five minute warning. After that, if they through a fit, however long it takes me to get them to the car is how many days/weeks/months (depending on my mood-I can be a mean mommy) they cannot have another playdate or visit to the park for that amount of time. This works great. They know the consequence ahead of time and since I have three, they know if one throws a tantrum it could affect all of them so they actually work together to get out of there when I say so.
Amy K. Says:
What a shocker on Idol! Yay, Katharine. I really thought she’d bite the dust but I’m glad she didn’t.
Rene Says:
It doesn’t get any better. At 6 my daughter still pitches a fit when I take her home from a play date.
Crystal* Says:
WOO! On half of a book already finished!
It’s so funny about playdates. I was always so flattered when the kid(s) didn’t want to leave. But it was like pulling teeth when I had to grab mine. Sadly, there is STILL a period of mourning when they have to come home. But at least they pout in their respective rooms.
Grins*
Helene Says:
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April Alsup Says:
I don’t have kiddies yet, but I recall blackmail working on me when I was little.:chocolate: