You Start It, You Finish It!

My Mom taught me long ago - I think it was in 8th grade when I still wanted to take dance lessons, but no longer wanted to do gymnastics - that you should fulfill your commitments. "I paid for a full year, and a full year is what you're going to do... for better or for worse," she'd say.

I see myself passing that philosophy onto Izzie when she fusses around on Saturday mornings and "doesn't want" to go to dance class. In actuality, it's the getting dressed, leaving her toys behind, and finishing her breakfast that she doesn't want to do. Once she is at class, she is happy as can be, and she thanks us for taking her (no really, sometimes she does!). Anyway, it is on these mornings that I understand where my Mom was coming from, having paid hard-earned money out of her own pocket for me to learn something or enjoy a recreational activity. I found myself on this particular morning telling my 3 year-old, "You only have 3 months left. You asked to do this. You will finish with all of the other little girls."

I reflect on that and giggle. Not only have I turned into my Mom, but my daughter is a toddler. If she didn't enjoy the activity itself, I would be the first one to excuse her from doing it. The fact that she enjoys it, in general, however, makes me want to use commitment clause.

MWM Turns 30