Close Encounter with Bagel Boy

This morning I decided Will should make his own breakfast. Rod, my husband and Will's dad, popped the bagel in the microwave while I wasn't looking. One less thing for Will to do.

I asked Will to take a knife out of the block and cut the bagel in half. "I thought I wasn't supposed to touch the knives," he said. "No you can use the knife," I said. "Finally you're going to treat me like a nine year-old," he said. "Yes I agree it's time."

Then I asked him to take the cream cheese out of the refrigerator. "I can't find it," he said. I foraged in the back of the fridge and found the cream cheese. "Here it is," I said. Still one less thing Will had to do.

He slowly smeared cream cheese across the bagel. Very nice work, I thought to myself. My husband walked out the door to put his backpack in the car, preparing to leave for work.

Will turned to me and said, "You know I'm only doing this because dad is here. Otherwise I would have to kick your butt." Kicking someone's butt is his latest threat now that he's taking karate. The whole nonviolence message hasn't really sunk in with him yet.

It's these special moments that really keep me grounded as a mom. Coming so close to karate blows with my nine year-old.