by Twila

Feedback is always welcome: twila@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2008 by Twila. All Rights Reserved.

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The following week started out okay, but Lizzie had a bad day on Tuesday. She didn’t sleep well, turned her alarm off and was late to school. Needless to say, that hour of free time she lost and received a written assignment for didn’t go over well and pretty much cemented her attitude for the day. She managed to curtail it until after lunch. The little kids were down for naps and Megan and Molly had been settled with work when her Mama told Lizzie she wanted to see her in the study.

Lizzie wondered what was going on but obeyed. Her Mama led her to the computer and pointed to the seat in front of it. Lizzie sat.

“Lizzie, this is your history,” Andy began, but was interrupted when Lizzie jump up from her seat.

“History? Nooo, I thought I didn’t have to do that,” Lizzie griped, getting upset quickly.

“Baby, calm down. History is a requirement. You can’t just skip it,” Andy tried to soothe her daughter.

“No!” Lizzie practically screamed. “I don’t want to do any stupid history!” She even stomped her feet and really wanted to throw something.

Andy couldn’t believe how quickly that temper tantrum set in, but she had no qualms about putting an end to it. She grabbed Lizzie, tucked her under her left arm, lifted her skirt and delivered several hard smacks to Lizzie’s bottom before setting her back on her feet.

Lizzie had barely processed those spanks before being upright. She knew one thing though. They stung! And her temper was suddenly gone just as fast. She stared at her Mama, cautiously, and rubbed her stinging bottom. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Andy pulled her into her arms. “Okay, baby. Thank you.” She set her forward. “That was entirely unnecessary, correct?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Then that’s why I put a stop to it,” Andy explained. “Now, can we talk about this calmly?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I know you don’t like history, but you have to take it. Period. End of discussion. The only thing we will discuss is how you take it. We can go back to your history book or you can try this. Your choice,” Andy stated firmly.

Lizzie didn’t have to debate those options at all. Her history book had been horrible, this computer thing couldn’t be worse than that in Lizzie’s opinion. She pointed to the computer.

“Good girl. Sit down and I’ll help you get started.”

It was still boring, but at least better than her textbook and Lizzie managed to get through a chapter. Her Mama let her be finished after that.

“Let’s talk a minute before you get back to school,” Andy said as Lizzie turned off her computer program.

Lizzie hoped she wasn’t in trouble again as she obeyed her Mama.

Andy had a seat on the couch and patted her lap. Once Lizzie had gotten settled, Andy wrapped her arms around her. “You are too old to throw temper tantrums like that, Lizzie, when something doesn’t go your way. You are old enough to talk it through, not lash out in anger. Understand?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Then if you do it again, then the same thing will happen again to stop it. Clear?”

“Yes ma’am,” Lizzie whispered, embarrassed even think of that happening again. She definitely hadn’t liked it.

“I also haven’t liked your attitude today and you’ve been very close to having it adjusted a couple of times. I suggest you get over your pouting and put it behind you. I’m sorry you overslept and you were late to school, but you know the rules and the consequences for breaking them. Pouting about them will only get you in more trouble. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Then fix it or I’ll add to that punishment you still have to do. Clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Anything you need to ask me?”

“No Mama.”

“Okay. Then go get finished with your work.”

Lizzie finished her school work only to be given an essay to write for punishment. She was fuming as she listened to her Mama give out her punishment. She must have had a little too much attitude showing.

“Do you need that attitude adjusted, Elizabeth Ann?” Normally with someone Lizzie’s age, Andy wouldn’t have kept reminding her, but she felt that Lizzie was too new to the discipline structure in their household and needed lots of prompting to remember the consequences.

“No ma’am.”

“Then get it under control,” Andy warned. “Go stand in that corner until you do.”

Lizzie stared at her in horror at the thought, but didn’t like the look on her Mama’s face. She quickly obeyed her, remembering what she’d been told would happen if someone did have to adjust her attitude for her. Ten minutes later, her Mama let her out of the corner and Lizzie was quite amazed at how calm she felt. She’d been totally embarrassed to be standing in the corner like a little kid, but it had obviously helped.

“Better baby?” Andy asked as she held her arms open.

Lizzie rushed into them. “I’m sorry,” she cried.

“It’s okay. I know it’s not easy, baby, but you’re doing a great job. Hang in there. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good girl. I love you.”

“Love you.”

“Ready to get finished?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Andy gave her a final squeeze, released her and took her hand, leading her upstairs. She made sure Lizzie was settled and started on her work before Andy left her and went to check on the other kids.

Continued in Part 11

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