Book 'em

Yesterday, The Boy had an unscheduled trip. On our way home from preschool, he repeatedly wiggled out of his seat belt. After telling him to buckle up several times, I finally cashed in on a something I'd been threatening for quite a while. I told him if he didn't put his seat belt on correctly, I was going to take him to the police station. He did not comply, so I drove him to the station.

At first he refused to go in, but I picked him up and carried him to the reception desk and asked for a police officer. One was sitting close by and asked what I needed.

I explained that my son repeated unbuckled in the car and often unbuckled his sister. The officer took my cue and played "bad cop". It's safe to say there was a little interrogation followed by a serious reprimand. The police officer asked his name, age and if his mother had told him to wear his seat belt. The Boy ignored the first two questions, but quickly informed the officer that his mother had NOT told him to wear a seat belt. (I guess that settles it...it's all my fault). The officer didn't bite. He asked him again..."Your mother hasn't told you to wear your seat belt?" "No" he replied again. The officer then took another approach. "Boy, you'd better wear your seat belt. I wear mine. Your mom wears hers. Your mom will get in big trouble if you aren't wearing your seat belt. And if your mom brings you here again and you're not wearing your seat belt, YOU are going to be in big trouble. Do you hear me?" He did answer "Yes Sir" and we left.

Oh , was he mad at me. He told me that I was going to jail. He told me he was embarrassed. He told me "I thought you were taking me to the grocery store".

Did our field trip pay off? Who knows. Only time will tell.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised that the officer was so stern. Although I was grateful.