and the winner is...

My story begins on a cool-ish spring morning. The children all roll out of bed, eat breakfast, get ready for school and pile into the car. On the way to pick up our carpool friends I realize that Reagan has only one sock. It is entirely too cold outside to be sock-less so I ask at our friends house if we can borrow a pair. I bring them back to the car and ask Reagan to put them on. She politely declines- "I'm not wearing those. They are ugly!"

I tell her that she does not have to put them on immediately but by the time we get to school she has to be sporting the socks and her shoes. Half way to school I remind her to get them on. She replies, "I am NOT wearing those socks!" No comment.

We are within eye sight of the school and I tell her that if she does not have the socks on then we will be sitting in the car until she does. We arrive. Drop off 4 of children at the door and park at the bottom of the parking garage.

I step out of the car and call her teacher, Mrs. D, to inform her that R and I are engaged in a mortal duel in which only one will come out on top- and I intend to be the victor. We agree that Mrs. D coming out to encourage Reagan would be a waste of time because we both know that my sweet child will not be convinced to do anything she does not deem worthwhile. Mrs. D encourages me to stay strong and be patient (FYI- Mrs. D is amazing!)

And the battle continues. There were no reminders. She was aware of my expectations. Nothing fun was going to take place. A few times she asked me, "Will you read me a book?" (no) "Where is my tiny blankie?" (at home) "Can we go home?" (no) "Can I have a snack?" (no)

I stayed strong. Answered with short answers. Let her know that we were going to stay here until she got her socks on OR until 12:15 rolled around.

Finally, after an HOUR, she said, "Mommy, don't look at me."

2 minutes later. "I'm ready, let's go inside."


And the gold medal goes to....

Well, you decide.....

Who honestly won here?

I think it was me.

But was it really?!