The Joys of Kids...

"Mom! This is the MOST important paper in my Tuesday folder and you HAVE to sign it so I can get it back to school tomorrow!"

Zach came running to me waving a paper and telling me I just had to sign it so he could watch the Polar Express, have hot cocoa, popcorn, and a candy cane at school while wearing his pj's and slippers.

With his excitement I read through the paper and right away I see the "IF YOU DO NOT" part of the flyer. In the flyer it clearly states to NOT sign or return unless the child needs a different snack or can't participate at all.

Well, I tried to explain this to Zach that this is one paper he did not want me to sign and have him return. "Oh but mom, you just have to! Every paper from school has to be signed and returned!" Once again I tried to explain to him that this time was a do not sign the paper. This was not working.

I went line by line with him and still in his excitement to one of his favorite movies in his pj's and have snacks with his friends he was not understanding the concept of the "DO NOT" sign and return.

New approach...

Zach read this part

My child is not allowed to participate in the viewing of the Polar Express or the snacks with the 3rd grade classes.

My child is allowed to watch but may not have the provided snack and the following ____ snack will be sent in.

So we talked about if he took his own snacks it would be apple juice and apple sauce as that is the snacks we have to send to school. (At this Ellie was freaking at the thought of Zach taking her only allowed foods to school). I let him know if he took his own there would be NO hot cocoa, NO popcorn, NO candy cane.

If we checked the other box that meant NO pj's, slippers, movies, or snack. He would be in another room doing school work instead. At this he was nearly in tears and said "But mom I want to see the movie that we all earned as a grade. I want the snacks. I want the pj and slipper day."

So I let him know again that the paper can't be signed if he wants to do those special things and tore then tossed the paper.

LOL so one again he is excited that Dec 20th he gets to watch the Polar Express in his Pj's at school and have the special snacks with the rest of the 3rd graders.