The very real danger of buying pajamas too small…

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It was one of those nights you’re just glad no one can see what happens inside your house when the blinds are closed and you and your sweet family lose your dang minds.  My nine year-old certifiably flipped her lid.  It began with whining.  It escalated to yelling. She then stepped it up to screaming with tears as every staple, stitch, and cell that held her together shot out like lethal ammunition at high rates of speed, many of them intentionally aimed in my direction.  She completely disassembled before my eyes over footie pajamas.

It all began innocently enough. The next day was Pajama Day at school.  Well, since we wear our pj’s until they are capris with well ventilated wrists and forearms, we cannot participate in the recent trend of wearing them to the mall.  While I feel like I am supposed to be galled by the imprudence of folks wearing their fuzzy smiley face pajama pants in public, I tend to – in the inmost parts of my soul – call it a stroke of brilliance.  We had to make a purchase.  My Campbell is not a shopper, so I braced myself for the frustration of pushing my big red shopping cart through the narrow maze of girls’ clothing at Target.  To my immediate delight, Sweet Stuff found three pairs of pajamas she liked right away.  One of those being a onesie with feet.  SHE LOVED THEM!  When we arrived at home, she gladly bathed and washed her hair – without any coaxing – so she could put on her new most favorite pajamas.  She was tickled.  She came out to twirl around for me; at which point I noticed that the sleeves were three-quarter length sleeves and the neckline was pulled taut.

They were clearly too small.

She has the waist of a six year-old, the height of an eight-year old and she’s almost ten.  My size guessing had been off, and she did not have the elasticity that night to handle a verdict of, “I’ll exchange them tomorrow.”

Pink fuzzy cheetah print never looked so vicious.  Wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued.  My insistence that we were not keeping too small pajamas elicited, “You’re just being mean!”

She groveled, “Please let me keep them!”

No.

Then she began to bargain…”Can I just sleep in them tonight before you return them.”

No.

She got creative, “I’ll pay you for them, so I can keep them.”

No.

And then she whined desperately, “Can I pay you to just let me sleep in them tonight before you exchange them?”

NO!  NO!  NO!  YOU ARE NOT KEEPING PAJAMAS THAT ARE TOO SMALL!  YOU ARE NOT SLEEPING IN THEM TONIGHT!  YOU CAN WAIT ONE DAY FOR ME TO EXCHANGE THEM!

I yelled.  I reciprocated her insanity and totally lost it.

As we piled in the truck to collect her sister from church, I asked her not to speak to me.  To give me a break.  We rode in silence and after about ten minutes we quietly began to discuss the unfinished homework that needed completing.  We both handled each other with care as our anger was now tempered by regret and breathing room.  We finished out the night without additional fireworks and were even able to poke fun at the hysterics of each other as we recounted the festivities to sister.

After the girls were in bed, I moved slowly about the kitchen – readying breakfast, packing lunches, filling water bottles, washing a few remaining dishes, and I saw myself in her.  I saw how determined I can be to have my way.  Despite reason.  Despite what is best for me.  I whine; I get angry.  I pout; I bargain.  I scream.  I yell, “You’re just being mean!”  Yet God is undeterred by my tantrums.  He will not compromise what is best to pacify.  He is a good, good father.  The best.  And I am so grateful he doesn’t allow me to settle for too small pajamas.

Why does God promise to give us what we want? And then he doesn't...
Hurry, Wait, & Wonder (Part III)

8 Comments

  1. LindZHasleden
    LindZHasleden
    January 20, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I relate to this so much!! Oh how much Jesus teaches me from my kiddos. And oh how often I feel like I must sound like my 4 year old to God. So thankful that He puts up with my tantrums 🙂

  2. Danielle
    Danielle
    January 20, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    Whew! I’ve been there. Telling my kids something on repeat and God says, “That goes for you too!” 🙂

  3. Kathy Hutchinson
    Kathy Hutchinson
    January 20, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Do you have a camera in my house!!!??? Yes yes and yes! God so reminds us how we are… And he does that so much through our children.. At least in my life He does. Very humbling when we step back and breathe.. I giggle and say yeah yeah.. I know God.. That’s me and you just used that 10 year old “mini me” to put me in my place..

  4. Kay
    Kay
    January 20, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    I relate to this so much. I catch myself having my own tantrums and I am so thankful Jesus loves me anyway! 🙂 And that he loves me TOO much to let me settle for something that isn’t His best for my life. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing but it is ALWAYS the best reward. So glad you are back blogging! 🙂

  5. Christy Moore
    Christy Moore
    January 20, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    Love, love, love that you are back blogging! You bring sunshine into my day!! You put that big grin on my face!! I can see this unfolding as I read.

    Welcome back sweet friend. Blog on!

  6. Cookie Cawthon
    January 21, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Reading comments from you beautiful gals is sunshine to me! Perhaps I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad to hear that Campbell and I aren’t the only ones who long to hold on to too small pajamas… :-/ Thanks for reading!

  7. MaryKay
    MaryKay
    January 21, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Ive just recently learned myself that MY plan for my kids aren’t necessarily HIS plan …and as I’ve watched the past few months unfold … I realize HIS plan was in my heart alllll along to guide my children in HIS direction !! It’s amazing what our father is capable of…if we just give HIM a chance !!! Thanks for sharing your story Cookie … I loved it !!!

    • Cookie Cawthon
      January 21, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      I love this, MaryKay! And it is a difficult challenge to trust Jesus with our kiddos! Not because He isn’t trustworthy, but because we can definitely think we know what’s best for them… Thanks for reading and commenting! Hope to see ya back here…