Springs: Work Eternal

That's a twist on a play on an old saying ("hope springs eternal"). I confuse myself sometimes. Don't worry aboout it.

I'm in Colorado Springs (hence, "Springs" above refers to the place) for work. I have no idea how long I'll be here. I packed for 15 days, knowing that whatever the length, it wasn't going to be 15 days.

Musings from the trip:

On the flight out of Huntsville, there was a woman travelling with her young daughter. The girl was 3 or 4 at most. I hate to judge (well, I love to judge, I hate to judge on the record), but Mom was doing a terrible job. The cajoling and negotiating is pretty standard in parenting these days. (I won't let THAT tangent distract me right now.) But at one point, she "threatens" the little girl with "Daddy said to." Now, Daddy isn't on the trip with them (they were going to visit the mother / grandmother, and I presume working is better than in-laws any day of the week), so the threat carries zero actual weight. That's what ticks me off. I don't mind threats of punishment when they can be carried out ("eat you vegetables or no dessert" then actually WITHHOLD DESSERT if they don't eat the veggies). I hate empty threats to kids. It shows them you're a liar and conditions them never to expect consequences.

Then, right after we land in Dallas, we don't have a gate to go to (we were early), so they let us get up if we choose. Mom and daughter head for the lavatory. Mom tells daughter, "I'll give you a treat if you try to go . . . if you actually go." Strike 2. At least the change was immediate, but you can't go changing the triggers for reward or punishment. This could have been a one-time slip (I doubt it), but changing what's good enough in the middle of the activity doesn't work at any level.

Then, the little girl has an accident. The smelly kind. Mom doesn't get excessively loud or openly hostile (which is good, little kids have accidents, plus I could have been overestimating her age and she may just be potty training). She was, however, saying things that to an adult's ear were an inappropriate reaction to a child that age. I can't remember examples, but it was confidence-draining statements. Not quite as bad as "you big baby," but that type of thing. A lot of it was tone of voice, and I understand the environment and reaction, but little kids don't. It was an accident. Little kids have them. Sometimes adults to do. It's not the end of the world, and it's not something to emotionally punish a little kid about. And I felt that way while smelling it.

Tomorrow, I go to work. Tonight, the guy who was already here got finished about 6:45. Yep. More tomorrow.