I Ate My Words, But Not My Breakfast

"If you keep it up we're leaving", or "one more time we're going home"... I've said it, you've said it, we're all heard it... and known without a doubt it was an empty threat. It's tough to leave that full cart of groceries, a fun visit with friends, or that cute top that's an extra 40% off the already reduced price, but needs to be tried on first.

Our sunny July morning consisted of two boys in their oversized tee shirts watching Diego, waiting for Grandpy to get her to take us to The Marketside, a great breakfast place nearby. Getting ready is pretty much a science around here. Ten months out of the year we are out the door by 8 am, so we have a pretty good system. Today was status quo, clothes, shoes, wash up, brush teeth.
Today, for some unknown reason, I saw toothpaste bits fly through the air, due to my son flicking his toothbrush teeth. I try to implement my 1-2-3 Magic parenting skills that I usually forget.. .and start with a "that's one", and child friendly explanation for this new behavior. I say "Adam, that's one. Don't do that, that's not how we brush our teeth, you're making a mess".
He looks at me, and does it again. "That's two , one more time and we won't be going to breakfast". Sure enough, again toothpaste splatters. I simply say "that's three..ok, we won't be going".
Enter tears, wails, pleas, promises to follow directions, whys, and even a few comments from my sons 5 year old mouth that enforce my decision even further.
I saw my opportunity. As much as I could taste my pancakes, I needed to take the opportunity to follow through. So I did, and off went the 3 year old with Grandpy for breakfast.
Truth be told: As much as I hated to to it, I felt liberated. I did it. I followed through, stayed strong, and kept my word. I always remember my mom being really good at this part of parenting, if she said it was or was not going to happen, she stuck with it. I learned more from that than any spanking I ever got... bad grades=no ____(enter favorite thing)_____... and that was it...
I think my son was pretty surprised. You had better believe it was an excellent day for him after this...all day he was mindful and making good choices.
So, that oatmeal and fruit I wound up turned out to be not so bad after all...