What I'm Not

Carson has been having a hard time with attitude (no big surprise to anyone that knows him I know!) We have been trying really hard to get him to see what he DOES have, and not what he doesn't. Last night when dinner was ready, I made them all come in. They were playing in a neighbors blow up pool. ( No boiling water this time. They can get hypothermia!) We ate dinner and then were cleaning up. Carson could see the two neighbors playing still out the window. He was looking very dim as he watched. Then he told me that he was jealous of them. I said that there were going to times his whole life when he would disagree with mom and dad, but that we loved him. He then told me that he thinks they have a better life. Baylee has: 1) DSI 2) 3DS 3) xbox 4) goes to bed at 9:30 5) playstation 3 6) a dog. Conner has 1) 3 dogs 2) goes to bed at 10 . After he was done telling me all this, I didn't know what to say. I would never want to bash anyone elses parenting. I reminded Carson that everyone wants to be here at our house. That I make them treats every day. That the entire neighborhood stands in line to have a ride on HIS fourwheeler. That I take him around to deliver papers so that he has money. That I take Cars to school every day, as well as Conner, because his mom is at work, and I will be taking Baylee next year too as her mom will be at work. I make dinner every night (luckily they hate fast food so that was a plus for him). They go to parties all the time, and have one here at least once a month, if not more! Then I stopped and just told him that I loved him. I asked if he knew that. He said, "yes, you kiss me ALL.THE.TIME! You love me as much as you love dad!" I told him that I would be the bad guy in his eyes A LOT in his life, but when he was a dad he could do it how he wanted! He thinks that is cool to think about. His boys will NOT have to do chores, and he will let them mow whenever they want! And stay up as late as they want! And be the last one to have to come inside for the night. It's funny how the grass is always greener, isn't it. I think adults even fall into this trap.