Only a child
Wed 29th Aug 2007 by Ben Palmer.Harry looked green even after he'd been sick this afternoon. Skipping supper, he had a bath at the usual time and got ready for bed.
Suddenly he found new strength while watching CBeebies - all signs of being unwell have vanished and he began playing merry hell. I had to stop reading half way through the penultimate chapter of Prince Caspian (as I warned I would) and say goodnight.
Now he is dancing around in his bedroom, shaking the lights in the kitchen ceiling. He has broken the landing nightlight and is winding Emily up as well.
I've been up twice, read the riot act, then explained calmly that naughty behaviour is not acceptable. So far I have said goodnight three times. In return I've had Bear thrown at me, his photographs of Mummy have hit the deck and he's hurrumphed until I lost my temper. Only a child can recover from sickness so quickly.
He's angry. He's angry with me for telling him off, for playing the bad cop and for not giving him any tea or bedtime milk. All I can do is explain why and tell him I love him. "No you don't and anyway, I hate you, you silly man." I do and you don't.
What he won't be aware of for another hour (going on past experience) is that he's really angry because he doesn't have his mother, and he'll be sad that he discarded her photographs from his bedside chair. The only thing I don't know is whether he'll fall asleep before realising all of this or whether he'll come down the stairs, sobbing.
tags: children dance mummy
It sounds like you are doing a brilliant job in a very hard situation. Of course Harry loves you, of course you are not a "silly man" (far from it). He will realise one day how lucky he is to still have such an awesome Dad, who understood his rages, didn't let him get away with them and loved him constantly regardless.
I agree completely with what Laura said. It's not easy bringing up children but it sounds like you have everything well under control
Laura and Sinead, thank you both. I know he is only testing me to find out how far he can push me and still be safe (all the way would still be safe!) Unfortunately he knows the fragility of life and that a parent can be here today and gone tomorrow. Your kind support means a lot.
Oh poor Harry, that sounds rough. He's very lucky to have you. Could he have been hungry as well? I can never wind down if i'm hungry!
Pigx
I think he could well have been hungry, but feared giving him anything other than water in case he was sick again. What he really wanted though, as any unwell/sad child does, was a hug from his mummy. Poor little boy has had so much to deal with in his life already.