Letter #5 Michael's Temper
Cal,
I read about Scott and now, I want to write a bit about Michael. Well, recently Mike had a little trouble with his attitude. You see he hates having changes in his routine or schedule -- at least what he calls a schedule but I find laughable. He always likes plenty of advance notice of events and hates to have something he is planning to be changed. But, he doesn't always communicate what his plans are to those around him. (Believe me, this is one area we are DEFINITELY working on the old-fashioned way.)
Well, he had planned something for last week - sounds like the same time when you called Scott home -- he was getting off early and wanted to make preparations for the next day when we were going to spend the day at a nearby park, relaxing picnic style. I did not know he would be getting off early, but I knew we were planning the Saturday trip. Our best friend called Friday afternoon and said he had a problem with his car and wanted us, especially Mike, to come up and help him. It wouldn't take long, I knew, but I have always made it a practice to never volunteer Mike without talking to him first -- even for our best friends. So, I told him I would call him later and let him know when we could get there.
Well, Mike really had a little temper tantrum. He got off early and wanted to spend the time getting ready for Saturday. I let him rant a bit as other friends were there. But as soon as they left, I marched him upstairs, took off ALL his clothes and gave him a good paddling that he didn't want. I told him he had no business acting like a spoiled brat. And since he had, he was going to get just what a spoiled brat deserved -- a good tanning on the bare bottom. Believe me, he was a bit surprised. But, he took it. When it was over, he thanked me (as usual) and then called our friend who was still waiting and told him he would be up soon to help him out.
While he was doing that as he's much better with car things than I can ever hope to be, I went to the store and finished up the stuff for Saturday. We had a good day actually and there were no more problems. I wish we had started our discipline a long time ago. What a lot of wasted energy went into keeping our relationship together after screaming at each other for hours when plans had to be changed, or delayed before, or he just threw a bit ... now, just a few minutes in the privacy of our room with a nice paddle I bought for him and the problem is solved completely. There are no more arguments of any kind ever. Much to his displeasure, I expanded his discipline to things other than just temper as well. His biggest concern now is that no on finds out what I'm doing, especially as I have now made it clear that the paddle is now part of his life. He's real embarrassed about that.
Good luck to you guys too - hope to hear from you soon ... and I will stay in touch for both of us. Do you and Scott or Larry ever accept dinner invitations?
Terry