A gummy situation

The privileges of turning four are not without responsibility. The precedent is clearly set. When we turn 16 and are able to drive, it is a privilege that we wait for expectantly, but with it comes responsibility. Responsibility for the safety of self, others and the care of an automobile. Keeping gas in the tank and our drivers license valid, among other things become very important responsibilities. When we wait for college at age 18ish, the privilege of living on our own is not without responsibility. Responsibility for getting up and getting to class without parental guidelines. Making decisions on our own and getting projects done becomes our own responsibility, along with eating right and doing our own laundry.

This privilege/responsibility relationship was brought to mind, by a very important milestone in my granddaughters life. But to be sure, there was responsibility attached.

Abby turned four this week, and one of the things promised to her was that she could chew gum when she turned four. She was so excited, that it was one of the first things that she wanted to do. Her mother has told her over the past couple of years, that she couldn’t chew gum until she was four. It was a hard rule, especially when I asked her if she wanted a piece of gum, with me not knowing the rule.

With the ceremony of going to the store and picking out which gum she would try first, Abby embarked upon her gum chewing adventure. Turns out that she chose strawberry, a personal favorite of my own. The actual experience was as good as she thought as she took the gum out of the package and removed the paper and then into her mouth it went. Mmmmm Good!! Horns sounded, drums were beating – She liked it!!!!!

But oh my, the responsibility and rules that went with it. She couldn’t stick it under her chair when she got tired of it. Of course, she was not allowed to swallow it. She could not stick it in her sister’s ear or leave it laying on the couch. She had to put it on her plate at dinner so that it did not get wasted while she ate (and it was very hard after that). Any gum found on the driveway, was immediately traced to her, whether she did it or not. And of course, there were places and times that she could not chew gum, like preschool or church.

Was it worth it? Worth all the rules and the responsibility for handling it like a big girl?

YOU BET IT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!