Last week Grayson's 3 best buddies and their families (plus 2 other families that we are friends with) traveled to Disneyland. Together. Without us. It was a hard decision for us to make (not to go), but we had our reasons back in January when the trips were booked. Good, responsible reasons. Unfortunately for Grayson though, he got to play no part in the decision-making process. Just us, the parental unit. In fact, Grayson didn't even know about the trip until just days before his friends left. And telling him was, I think, one of the hardest things I've had to do as a parent thus far. (But trust me, I'm not naive. The boy is 5. I know that there is a whole lifetime of hard things to come!) But truly, it hurt. Him and me both. Not only was he so sad, but he was MAD. Mad at me. Ugh. You have to understand that our boy LOVES Disneyland, but also, after getting to go with his friend Garrett last fall, he on his own came up with the idea of going again, but with Isaac, James, AND Garrett. And then to find out that your great idea is coming to fruition (sort of) but without you? Crushing. It was a hard night, to say the least.
But time often heals, and it did in this situation too. Faster than I ever thought possible. Grayson's extreme sadness began to turn into excitement for his friends, especially Isaac who had never been before. And while he still prayed at night for God to "make him not have hurt feelings anymore", he genuinely hoped that his friends would have fun. And even though looking at all of the pictures broke MY heart in a literally painful kind of way--just knowing that my 2 sweet kids will never be linked to that trip or memories of it or inked in any of the photos--Grayson loved the daily updates and getting to see his buddies enjoying the rides, etc... Huh. Why do I never give the kid enough credit?!? So the lessons in acceptance, fairness, and so on that I thought "we" were going to have to work so hard on? Um, yeah. "I" will be working on those!!! :)
Oh and rest assured that Grayson and Molly did have a fun weekend. After all, you don't tell your kids that their best friends are going to Disneyland without them and then not offer everything possible under the sun to make up for it! (At least we don't.) Ha! Ha!
So after the last soccer game of the season, we headed to the A.C. Gilbert House in Salem (a children's museum). Much time was spent in the bubble room.
Molly was a fan of the bus. I guess Daddy was not.
Then following the obligatory giant rocking chair photos that we take every time we go, we headed on over to the Salem Riverfront Carousel. Certainly NOT Disneyland but still fun!
Next stop? Chuck E. Cheese, Baby! I know. You are jealous. Grayson was kind of worried about that, too--his friends being jealous. So he decided to keep our outing 'hush, hush', so as to not hurt his friends' feelings. You know, those same friends who just got back from DISNEYLAND! Ha! Ha! I love that boy.
5 comments:
Grayson proudly told me on Tuesday that he does get to go Disneyland again this summer...I think his words were "I've been 5 times." ... Now, don't go planning any more Disneyland trips for 2010 'cuz we all talked about going back as a group in November 2010 and we want the Ryan's to join us next time!!!
You are a good mom.
You are a good mom. He is dealing well because he is using the acceptance skills you and Dave have taught him. I mean Disneyland when EVERYONE goes is a little too much not to accept for at least a few days! Oh, and a tip for CB and the gang in case they read this...move the trip to one of the first couple of weekends in December....you'll get snowfall and Christmas parades! THE BEST!!!!!!!!
Well, Daphne just got to go for her first time and I had different ideas in my head for how she would react. At times I am pretty sure she would have rather been swimming at the pool. Go figure - it's hard to do the right thing, no what to expect from them and especially hope you are doing the best things that will mold their character.
It sounds like Grayson is a sweet boy and this could have been a good carving moment for him!
That would be really hard...I loved how you went to the museum together. I've never been there, but intend to go afer seeing how fun it looks. What a sweetie pie he is!
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