Sick Day

Cats in the Cradle - Dylan and Gavin

I'm not at work today. Little Dylan is not feeling well and wants his dad, so I'm taking a sick day. The poor little guy had a double ear infection last week and got some antibiotics from the doctor, a side effect of which was the worst diaper rash I've ever seen. Then yesterday, his nose started pouring and he was very restless last night. So he's having a daddy day.

Fortunately, he's a very good natured little boy and is still laughing and grinning. Right now he's speeding around the living room at a rate of knots, grabbing my shoes, books, Gavin's action figures and cars, and anything else that's within reach while blowing raspberries at me.

He's also trying to sneak a drink of my coffee. Oh yes, I definitely see my cheekiness and determination in him.

Unfortunately I also recognize a lot of myself in Gavin :-)

He got into trouble in school last week for not listening, misbehaving and disrupting. So I didn't talk to him for a few days - no playing, no wrestling, no cooking with daddy, no "James and the Giant Peach" bedtime story. Now Gavin loves to talk, and he absolutely hates it when daddy ignores him. The other morning he came up to me and said "daddy, when you're ready I'll be here". Right then I knew my protest was over, and we made friends again soon afterward.

Why does it feel like I'm being handled and manipulated???

We talked to his teacher and she said that while he sometimes misbehaved and was very strong willed, he didn't have a mean bone in his body, and that she found it hard to stay mad at him for any length of time. I know that's true, and I'm glad about that. I also know that he's a charmer, and I think he'll get away with a lot because of that.

I think his problem is that he has an inherent mistrust of authority, is very stubborn, and has a desire to march to the beat of his own drum. Hmm, who does that sound like?

I only wish he would make an exception when the authority is me!!!