This past weekend Jace was invited to a birthday party for one of his favorite soccer friends. The bummer was, it was on Sunday. We are good friends with the family and Mike plays soccer with his dad. They know we are Mormon, but we are the first Mormons they've ever been friends with. He thought we still practiced polygamy...
Anyway, so I tell him immediately that we can't come and he's obviously hurt. He tells me that there is a Mormon church right by their house, we can go there, then come over. After all, we don't want to miss the giant waterslide and dunk tank. He questions and pushes a bit more than I am used to. I really wanted to go too, and I knew Jace wanted to and it wasn't going to be easy to say no. The dad was feeling hurt, knowing how disappointed his son would be. No parent likes their child to feel bad, especially not on their birthday.
As we walked away, I was trying to figure out how we could justify going. Maybe we could drop a present off and say hello in our Sunday clothes. Maybe we could come and eat, but not really play, after all we invite families over to dinner almost every Sunday and the adults eat and chat while the kids play. We take family bike rides and eat other peoples cookies. What's the difference?
When we were almost to the car, Jace said, "Mom, I know what the right answer is, We don't go to birthday parties on Sunday."
I was amazed and shocked at his quick and content answer. So matter of fact, no fit throwing. Wow, what a 5 year old.
He taught me a lesson--we act the way we say we believe; that's what makes us who we are. Thank you Jace.
To make it up to the family and our cute little friend, we took him for pizza and bowling with our family and gave him his own extra special birthday night, just with us. Sometimes, you really can have it all.
12 comments:
Wow, what a strong little guy you have on your hands. Impressive! I agree though, it is hard to draw the line on all the things you mentioned.
Jace is such a great kid. The apple clearly doesn't fall far from the tree...
I'm sure this is just one of many "gray areas" that we will have to deal with when parenting!
Brooke. That is an awesome story! You can totally see why teaching kids while they are still young is SO important. They can have some many things built into their understanding... even if they question it later. Thank you for sharing this story! It was inspiring and something to think about and plan for : )
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Thanks for sharing! Jace is a great kid and example. What a great way to handle the issue with pizza and bowling too. What a great mom you are!
You are such a great mom & example to us mom's who will most likely have this happen at some point. That little Jace of yours, what a special guy. He has obviously been taught very well!!
I love this story, thank you for telling it to me the other night. You are such an amazing mom and it shows through your boys!
Perfect in every way.
(And perfect stuff to put on your blog).
You're the best.
SERIOUSLY, WOW! that is Soo neat! you guys are good! that is so darling that he said that! what a cutie pie!
I wanted to let you know I "edited" my post. I publicly noted a change in who I tagged for you. Wouldn't want to put undue pressure on you. I only tagged you becuase I know you are one of those people who never have anything going and are always looking for something to do. But I guess with a sick Jace you deserve a break!
OH my gosh. Isn't it amazing how we try so hard to teach our kids, and in the end they are teaching us? Had this same conversation with a religious, but not Mormon friend. I too had a hard time explaining (and reconciling with myself) what made the difference between inviting family & close friends over on a Sunday to celebrate a birthday and actually going to someone's birthday party. Maybe it's the moon bounce/water slides that crosses the line? I think you handled the situation perfectly. Thanks for being such a great example and for raising such great kids.
What a sweet story! This will be one to remember, I know I would have been trying to justify it!
I enjoy being around your kids so much! They are all adorable for starters, and Jace is amazing. This is just ONE MORE example of what a great job that you do, and how important our work is. Give yourself and Jace a big pat on the back for that one!
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