Thinking Chair

I have been coming back late these past few days because of rehearsals. Sigh...

And this evening, while I was giving C her ritual shower before bed, she told me that she sat in the Thinking Chair. I was too stoned from work and just wanted to get the whole bath thing out of the way to hear what she had said. And my little one, thought I wasn't listening to her, repeated "Mummy, I sat in the Thinking Chair today."

I went "Uh huh" and then I stopped my soaping and my eyes slowly came back up from her toes to meet her eyes. C was nodding her head furiously and then it finally dawned on me what "Thinking Chair" means.

C : Ya. I ran around today and Ms Sally said I should sit on the Thinking Chair.
M: So you were naughty.
C: Ya.
M: Did you sit in the Thinking Chair yesterday? Daddy said Ms Sally also scolded you because you threw your hanky on the floor.
C: I threw the hanky and Ms Sally scolded me. There are 2 Thinking Chairs.
M: So did you like the Thinking Chair?
C: No.
M: Will you be naughty again then?
C: No.
M: Good.

The Thinking Chair is brilliant! Even young children do not like it and I guess it is important that they start young; the need to reflect on their mistakes and misconduct.

I am thankful yet ashamed at the same time. Here I am, working late and coming back beat; after having to teach and coach and play counsellor, mother, and what else to 40 other kids while my own little girl; my one and only little girl gets to be disciplined by her teacher in school.

If I have done a better job as a parent, Ms Sally would not have to send C to the Thinking Chair. I am sure she felt bad punishing C; but having to reprimand her on 2 consecutive days (will be quite horrifying to think it's more than 2 days) can really steam up Ms Sally's head. Besides who doesn't like to play the good guy, right? And if all parents play their part right, teachers can maybe really finally enjoy teaching and it will definitely make waking up at 5 am every morning more bearable.