PAIN OF CONSEQUENCE

Ethan had to miss our ward Cinco de Mayo party tonight...and it wasn't pretty (the leaving him behind I mean). I tried to get him to take a bath for 2 hours prior to the party, knowing that when the party was over it would be time for bed, & too late for him to take a bath. He kept doing other things, trying to avoid taking a bath - and then, when it was time for me to go to the party with Brynn (because Scot wasn't totally interested in the ward party), he had to be left behind. It wasn't meant to be torture, but it was the consequence of his decision not to take a bath. Not only was it hard for Ethan, it was hard for me. I hate making my kids upset to this extreme...or any extreme for that matter, but sometimes it's hard to be a mom. I knew I had to follow through so that Ethan would learn his lesson. Brynn and I decided to go to the activity to hang out and eat with everyone while Ethan and Dad stayed home. Bummer. Ethan was screaming and crying, through sobs saying "I want to take a bath", hanging onto the door - begging me to take him. (Rip my heart out). I called about 10 minutes later (as I was nearing the church) to check in, and he was still crying. I'm sure Scot wasn't all that excited about his decision not to go to the party at that point. As a consolation prize, Brynn and I brought Ethan a cupcake...but it didn't heal the wounds (he kept talking about how sad he'd been and how he wanted to take a bath & next time he'd be obedient). Ole'.