Tuesday, May 6, 2008

If It Ain't Broke...

So yesterday (Monday) morning, we were out the door, and Sylvia says, "I forgot something." *sigh* unlock the door. "What'd you forget?" For some reason, she doesn't like to tell me right off just what it is she needs, which makes it difficult for me to help her try and find it. It was her recorder for Music class - which I'd thought was in her backpack. Turns out, she couldn't find it on Friday for her solo audition (she didn't get it), and had to borrow her teacher's. We looked around a bit, but we weren't finding it. I was frustrated that she hadn't told me ahead of time - like on Sunday - that this was even an issue. It was time to go. I told her she'd have to lose her points and just go because otherwise she was going to be late for school.

She called me at work yesterday during Music class to tell me that if we couldn't find it tonight, then we would have to pay $5. Fine. Whatever.

Last night, we searched. And searched. I had her reenact the last time she remembered seeing it. We checked in the likely places, we checked in the unlikely places. We looked under beds, and in bags, and cleaned out the hall closet. I remembered when Riley had started to play it, and Sylvia got mad, so I had Riley show us exactly where she'd set it down. Nowhere.

Finally, we realized that the last time she'd taken it to school, she'd put it in her gym bag. It wasn't in there, but I think she must have taken it out at school somewhere and not put it back. She's checking at school today, but I gave her the $5 anyway.

And here's the kicker: the music concert is tomorrow. She's been carrying this thing around for months, and days before the concert is when she loses it! Oi vey.

Moral of the story: don't change what's working. For all these months, she's been putting it in her backpack and has always had it when she needed it. The one time that she tried something different (putting it in the gym bag) is when it disappears. Routines, it turns out, are a very good thing.

11 comments:

Kori said...

I am a huge believer in routine (to my own detriment, I might add), so I am saying a resounding YES! to this post. While also totally hearing your frustration at her wiating until the last minute-literally-to tell you about it. Ah, the joys, right?

Anonymous said...

Routine is EVERYTHING for me, for my kids, for all of us. Out of my routine is out of my element and all sorts of stuff gets screwy.

Anonymous said...

I'm freakishly slavish about always putting things away or back from whence they came. CableDad says I'm actually quite OCD about this. BUT, whenever *he* uses something (my kitchen scissors, for example) he puts them who the hell knows where and I can never find them again! So, yeah. I'm all for routine.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like us and school library books!! I've had to pay to replace two already this year!

And I won't even begin to tell you how many hats and mittens I've had to replace . . .

KG said...

I totally agree - you HAVE to put your stuff in the same place every time. I even park my car in the same area every time I go to the mall so that I don't forget where it is!

Tara R. said...

Routine is my friend. I am a huge creature of habit. Any break in the norm throws me off all day. Can you say 'OCD?'

LunaNik said...

Oh I hate those damn recorders! How many times do you think it takes hearing "Hot Crosses Buns" before you go legally insane??

Unknown said...

Ever since my girls were born, my whole life has been based around routine. Great advice, April!

I love how she didn't tell you until Monday morning - I remember my own days of leaving everything to the last minute. My Mom would freak - you sound much more patient.

Florinda said...

Kids have such a gift for creating an instant crisis by telling you at the last minute. And why not mention it sooner? "I just forgot!"

But I agree about routine and organization. I call them my defense strategy against chaos.

Jen said...

They are a very, very good thing. Everyone in my family needs them big time.

NH Yocal said...

Yes, that is so true. Everytime I move something into a new place, I totally forget about it. Then months later, I'm like, oh yeah...I remember when I put this here. With so much to remember everyday routine are a savior to keeping our minds freed up for other things!