The Fair Treatment of Toys Fairy

Did you know that such a thing existed? Yes. There is such a fairy.

The Oldest was trying to put together a Transformer and has been trying at it all day. He finally asked for help and I told him after dinner. This he did not like to hear. So he put his nose to the grindstone and tried harder. I have always taught him that it's not worth it to get frustrated at a computer game or toy or whatever if he cannot acheive it, then just walk away for a little bit. Well I was up front with the Littlest and I hear this huge slam on the table. I know what it is. I quietly get up and he passes me with drama on his face saying, "I broke it, I was frustrated". Hmmph.

I simply without a word, go to the table, pick up the instructions and the parts and put them in the cabinet with the plates. Fifteen minutes later, the Oldest comes up and realizes the Transformer thing is gone. He looks all around, stunned that it's gone. Genuinely he does not know where it is. I keep quiet. Finally he says, "where did it go?" I say calmly, "well I don't know. Did you set it down nicely or did you throw it down?" He looks at me. I think I set it down. Uh huh. I say, "I think you threw it, I heard it hit the table from up front" More silence. So then I say to him, "you know what happened to it? The Fair Treatment of Toys Fairy came to take it away." Deer in headlights. "What?" he says. I repeat myself. He picks up a napkin, balls it up and throws it on the island. He stomps away. I think he's onto me. I grin. He does not. Well, his back is to me but I'm 99% sure he was NOT grinning. He was pissed. Good. Don't throw toys! Respect what you have! So he comes back. He stands there looking at me, eyeing me, silent as the hills. I look at him innocently and say, "What still looking for your transformer, can't find it?" He says, "You took it." rather calmly. Oh boy. I again asserted the Fair Treatment of Toys Fairy got it. I saw the whole thing. He then looks concerned. I am feeling way crappy inside. Lying to the boy. Good Lord, I'm not a liar. I'm about to cave. Here it comes, I'm caving. He says to me, "Are you telling me the truth? There was a half invisible person in here that was a toy fairy who took it away?" uh oh. "Oldest, do you want to know what happened? I'll tell you what happened. I took it. I heard you throw it and you will not get it back until you can prove to me you can handle yourself better" More quiet. Again the walking away. So calm. Scary.

Not another word about it till later he says, "I'm ready for you to tell me where it is." "I'm sure you are" I say to him. The end of that. He'll get it later in the week. Lesson learned. His lesson; don't throw toys or things that you should cherish like your brother or your mother. My lesson; don't lie to your precious child.

I caved way too fast, didn't I? Dang it.

Jenn