Don’t Mess with the Routine!

Since we got the scooter, G2’s early morning scooting sessions before school have become our norm. It has also become a regular workout for me.

Over the weekend, Daddy absentmindedly left the scooter at G2’s grandparents’ house so we couldn’t have our usual Monday morning scoot before school. To head off any disappointments, I preempted him that we wouldn’t be able to scoot that morning. He took it well and I thought all was fine. We arrived at school and he walked without protest to the doors.

Then BAM! He threw a wicked curve ball that I never saw coming.

G2: I don’t want to go to school!

All my efforts to cajole him and distract him were in vain. He steadfastly refused school and I was stumped. This behaviour was completely out of character. Eventually, his teacher managed to engage him with an activity and he tearfully said “goodbye” to me. When I spoke to his teacher after school, she reported that the rest of the day went well. I thought we were in the clear.

Then, Tuesday morning, the same thing happened…

G2: I don’t want to go to school!

He made up all sorts of excuses that didn’t ring true. Eventually he agreed to stay at school with the promise of being able to play in the sand pit. I was still perplexed by his behaviour but I was beginning to suspect it was the change in routine and having to miss out on scooting. So Tuesday evening, I took back his scooter and we resumed our regular morning scooting on Wednesday. Now there are no more protests about going to school and all is well again with G2’s world again.

Lesson learned: don’t mess with the routine!