Shake Down with Robert

It was time to get Robert up for his race this morning.

Since he practices soccer or has soccer games every day after school, he doesn't practice cross country with the team.  He feels he could do better at cross country if he had a chance to practice with them, and because of that he doesn't like to run the races - BUT - running the races is good for him and soccer season will soon be over and then he can run XC for the remainder of the fall season.

Anyway, this morning Robert refused to get out of bed.  He told me to my face that he wasn't going.  I called mark and did all the things that you are supposed to do.  I even took a moment to contemplate what is the right thing to do.  I wanted to be long-suffering, patient and kind - but we were running out of time AND I wanted Robert to learn to respect and honor his parents.

He had some pretty choice bad things to say to me, and accused me of all sorts of horrible parenting skills, but in the end I grabbed him and pulled him out of bed and told him to get ready!  I was pretty forceful.  He HAD to go to the meet - HE had to tell his coach if he was running or not.  I brought his uniform and running bag just in case.

On the way there things cooled down and I expressed how proud I was of him for all the things he does and how I would be disappointed if he didn't run, but that would be up to him.  I told him he would be allowed to play in his soccer game even if he didn't run, but that I would really like him to consider the opportunity to run with this team.