Bribe or reward?

We have had the hardest time with Maika going to Primary. For all non-LDS, primary is where children go to learn about the Savior. They sing songs, have a lesson, and do many other things. Maika has always been a hard one to let go of us whenever we go anywhere. Even if we are going to someone's house he will stand as a bodyguard for Cliff until he feels comfortable (which is right before we get ready to leave).

Anyway, Cliff left this morning and since I play piano for Relief Society (women's class the last hour), I could not stay home. I got the kids ready for church and then myself. Before getting out of the car and heading into the chapel, I talked to Kalena and Maika to let them know that they had to be extra good today since Daddy wasn't with us. They did very well until about the last 10 minutes, when I finally gave in because I had 2 children crying. Tula'i wanted to go out and get a drink of water, but needed my assistance to do so and got mad when I told him no. And the other, Lavea'i, was crying because he wanted me to let him down to run around the chapel. Sooooo distracting, so I had Kalena and Maika gather their things so we could leave to go into the hallway. Much easier out there. That was the first hour of church. Not too bad!

Now how was I going to tackle the part of Maika going to primary especially with Dad being gone. Cliff is usually the one that will sit in primary with him until he has calmed down. But, with him gone, I had Tula'i that wanted me to stay with him in nursery (a class for children ages 1 1/2 to 3 years). Cliff had rewarded Maika before by telling him that he would make brownies if he stayed in class and was a good boy. After Cliff sat in class with him for most of it, Maika finally made it about the last 20 minutes. Remembering how much Maika likes brownies, I told him that I would make brownies if he didn't cry and was a good boy about going to class. He told me he would be a good boy and then I proceeded to tell him that he couldn't even cry one tear. If I saw one tear come out of his eye, then I wouldn't make the brownies. So, how did it all pan out?



He was rewarded along with the other three and enjoyed every last bite. Not a single tear was shed except from me because they were tears of joy! Just kidding about my tears, but I was happy he went. The Lord definitely watches over us in our times of need. I thought it would be utter chaos at church, but it ended really well.