Perhaps some of us practicing Leadership Education methodologies could, from time to time, use a smidge of help in organizational and “planning ahead” techniques. This would particularly apply to those moments when you “know that you know, that you KNOW” EXACTLY where last year’s costume-that-was-purchased-with-the-intent-of-getting-at-least-two-year’s-worth-of-wear-out-of-it, is being safely and efficiently stored.
When your then-seven-year-old (son #5), begins coming to you a month before the holiday festivities to “check in” and make sure that said costume has been located, you should possibly consider that as a serious prod to stand up and take notice. Actually locating the costume at that point would be a proactive approach to fending off Halloween Day hysteria and meltdown. But why rush a good thing? I KNEW that I KNEW where it was. Period.
As Halloween drew near, the conversations went something like this… “Um, mom (tap your right foot up and down with arms folded while speaking), you really don’t know where you’re storing that skeleton costume, do you?” ( More incessant tapping to be heard in the pregnant pause.) “Yes, #5, I DO happen to know where it is. Now please stop worrying.” “Then how come I haven’t seen it yet?” “Aren’t you wanting me to try it on to make sure it fits?” “I’ve grown you know.” I refuse to be intimidated or manipulated into caving under the pressure of a seven-year-old’s stare. This drill continues day in and day out until the week of Halloween, 2008. I finally decide that perhaps a casual perusal through the box in the garage where I KNOW the elusive skeleton costume is housed, is in order. Son #5 decides to join me, just for fun.
Never mind, that even though it’s October 25; where we live, it’s still nearly 100 degrees. And the aforementioned costume happens to be felt. Beautiful to behold and experience, but nonetheless… felt. And also, at this particular juncture in time, NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. Trying to appear casual, while rivers of sweat begin their journey down my back, I open box numbers 2, 3, and 4. NO COSTUME. Panic rises up in me, but quickly remembering three of George S. Patton’s One Minute Messages, I appear to remain calm, cool and collected.
Son #5 is not easily fooled, and playing the part of Johnny Raincloud, pipes up with the following…” I knew it.” ” You can’t find the costume, can you?” ” I even gave you days and days and days of notice!” “This is just GREAT!” ” Am I going as Adam…in NOTHING?” Seems to me someone else said “Never let them see you sweat.” This was already null and void, as it was probably 120 degrees in the garage, and #5 was turning up the heat with every minute! “What’s a mom to do?” Follow the principles, man!
1.Be alert to the source of trouble. 2.Make your plans to fit the circumstances. 3.Never let the enemy pick the battle site.
As a mom of boys, it seriously pays to cozy up to the likes of Patton once in awhile! Stay tuned!…
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