The art of basketball manipulation

Came up with a new plan for practice. Decided Layne needed to do practice on her own. The story was that Matthew needed to help Mom out at church during practice and he wouldn't be able to be in the gym.

Started the story last night at Wednesday Night Church Dinner. This is how the conversation went:

Me: "Layne, tomorrow at practice I need Dad to finish some things for me at church. He won't be able to be in they gym".

Layne: "But, why?"

Me: "Because I really need the help and you will be busy with practice and your team."

Layne: "Okay, but am I going to do soccer?"

Me: "Layne, I really don't know right now. It has been very hard with basketball and you really need to show us you know how to be part of a team before we sign up for soccer again."

Layne: "But mom, my coach and the girls said they needed me to play soccer. They wanted me to be on the team again."

Me: "I am sure they do Layne and I am glad you say you want to - but you really have to do what you say. Just because we sign you up for soccer doesn't mean that you will have the same coach and same team. I cannot promise you that - things change (key phrase here - LOL) and we need to figure out how to go along with it. Let's keep working on basketball and we will discuss soccer later."

Layne: loooooong pause "But, you will always be my Mom, right? That won't ever change, will it?"

Me: (trying really hard to not laugh and/or roll my eyes) "Yes, Layne I will always be your mom."

Now - who was in control here? Yeah - I got give Layne some points for that one - change the subject and suck up all in one.

I need a new parenting book.

Oh - by the way - Matthew doing the drop off in the gym and disappear - she did awesome with practice and had a great time all on her own.

Whewww!!!!