Re: How would YOU have handled this?

[Guest guest]

> It sounds like you did great - I think I might have been tempted to

> fly off the handle immediately, even tho' I'd have know it wasn't

the

> best way to deal with it.

>

> You seem to have got the point across without making a big scene.

>

> Well done you - that's what I say

>

> Todman

> Treasurer, Stansted Branch (R5)

> Mum to , 3½

Thanks to and everyone else who approved of the way I handled

things :-)) Even Tavya (my sternest critic and wisest counsel) said

" I wouldn't have been very impressed if you'd told YOEL off Mum, but

Zvi is old enough to know better, so you did the right thing. "

The boys have gone back home now, I can't say I'm upset Zvi (8) I

found easy, and friendly, but Yoel (5) was just a pain a lot of the

time.

This morning for example: I planned to go to Wembley market to get

stuff for Yeshaya, a big suitcase on wheels, bed linen, towels,

clothes etc. I offered to take the boys and said I'd buy them a small

gift whilst there. They both said yes, then Yoel banged his head

minutes before we left. He bawled unconsolably as if his head was

split in two, even though there was no evidence of any injury, not

even a little bump. He totally refused to come with after that, so

he stayed at home with DH. Tzvi was fine and helped me carry the

packages. I bought him a digital watch for a fiver, and thought of

buying Yoel the same (next time Ruthie, follow your instincts!) but

Tzvi talked me out of it. So we bought him a toy car instead. I

phoned home and DH said that Yoel had been howling all morning, but

was stopping now in anticipation of his present. Needless to say when

we got home I gave him his car and he didn't like it and was quite

open about it. Me: " Do you like it? " Yoel: " not really. "

He started whingeing for a watch. I told him if he'd wanted to

choose his own present he should have come with, and he said some

rubbish like " I didn't know you were going. " DH fished out one of his

old (but working) watches and we gave it to him.

I hate showing favouritism to grandchildren but sometimes you can't

help it. DD1 left two of her kids with us in the afternoon, and came

round to fetch them with three more, and all five were warm, friendly,

polite and appreciative, coming up to me for hugs and cuddles and

kisses. How can I not feel warmly towards kids like these rather than

a kid who whinges and whines and rejects what I offer him? I try, I

really do!

Ruthie (feeling guilty)