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Published May 15, 2009 @ 16:18 by Tania in Amazing Kids, My Rules

Picked Son Two up from a play date, and the mom said with, "Now I need to tell you something, but I am not angry with your son."

The boys were playing with some glue, and she left them alone for just a few minutes. Then my son came up to her and told her that they got glue on the hamster.

The mom told me that the hamster and her cage were covered, and she needed to clean them out. I felt terrible! I was also shocked and surprised that Son Two would do this, though I know how lines of right and wrong get blurred so easily with kids this age when one starts to do something.

She is the most adorable dwarf hamster - about 3 inches long and maybe 5 ounces. She had glue still in her fur, though she had taken her dust bath. Her back had glue, her belly had glue, and little ear was glued to the side of her head. The glue was non-toxic (at least for kids), and she is still OK today. I picked her up and she run up my arm with energy and affection. Sweet little soul!

Yesterday we tried to talk to Son Two about the incident, but he shut down. I tried again today after school. I explained about how the hamster would feel, how he would feel if a friend hurt our cat, and how our cat would feel to be hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me before I went on the play date not to put glue on the hamster?" he yelled at me. Hmmm... Good question. Maybe because I didn't know that they had a hamster, let alone that you were considering putting glue on her? Probably because it would take me days, or even weeks, to tell you everything that you are not supposed to do, and you would probably still do it! (Like sticking your fingers in random holes; I am sure that you've done that at least three times, and though I have told you not to do it again, and you still did it yesterday!)

I could tell that Son Two felt really bad about what he did and that he understood the it was wrong. He also promised never to put glue or paint on anyone or anything without permission.

The good news is that the hamster wasn't seriously harmed, and Son Two has learned a valuable lesson. I hope.