playground shoe lesson

A couple of days ago Bobby and I went a playground close to our house. He LOVES playing "hide and see ya" so we played several games of that. This playground is behind an elementary school and has a huge hill that Bobby loves to roll down. He and Buddy usually take turns doing that! After we had played for 45 minutes or an hour Bobby went up a curly slide and came down with his shoes off. It was a cold and damp day so I told him that if he wanted to stay at the park then he needs to put his shoes back on because it was cold. He went back up and came back down without them. I asked him if he was ready to leave because we would have to leave if he didn't get put them on. He got "the look" on his face which by now I know means "no way am I going to do what you say" and threw his shoes off the top of the slide. So, I picked up the shoes and told him that we had to leave because his shoes were off and I started walking slowly to the car. He followed way behind me.  I watched him and waited at the car and in a few minutes Bobby arrived crying saying his feet were cold (now he was minus the socks also). I asked what had he done with his socks and he said he threw them down by the playground. So I held his hand and we walked all the way back to the socks and he picked them up and we walked all the way back to the car with him crying the whole way because his feet were cold. I explained that his feet were cold because he took his shoes and socks off outside which you can't do in the winter. When he got in the car he immediately said, "I sorry Mama that I not obey you"! We hugged and I thanked him for saying that and told him that everyone makes mistakes and that he is a good boy and we left for home in good spirits.

I've learned from some things I've read that children who come from hard places (like orphanages) didn't learn cause and effect regarding their actions. Opportunities to teach them occur multiple times a day in our home! Maybe Bobby will remember now that taking your shoes and socks off outside results in very cold feet which is not pleasant...we'll see!