Watching Mitchell Today
I don’t know what it is with Mitchell these days, but I swear he’s testing me at every turn. Take today, for instance. I had him with me at the gym, my usual routine shifted so I could keep an eye on him. He was fidgety right from the start, clearly in one of those moods. Everything seemed to set him off—whether it was waiting for a turn on an exercise machine or me telling him to hold on when he wanted something.
The real drama started after I told him he needed to wait for his pamper change. I could see the attitude building, his arms crossed and his little foot stomping as he muttered something under his breath. Normally, I try to stay patient—I really do. But when he outright ignored me and started whining in that exaggerated voice of his, I knew we were headed for a showdown.
“I’m not doing this right now, Mitchell,” I told him, attempting to nip it in the bud. But nope, he just doubled down, throwing a tantrum right there by the lockers, like I was the one being unreasonable.
Before I could even process what was happening, Mitchell’s voice shot up a dozen decibels. He was yelling now, hands flying as he got right up in my face. His words were a jumbled mix of frustration and defiance, but I couldn’t mistake the challenge in his tone. My heart was pounding, and I tried my best to de-escalate, but it was clear he wasn’t backing down. When he stepped closer, almost chest to chest with me, shouting so close I could feel the heat of his words, I realized this situation was spiraling out of control. I had no other option. Without hesitation, I dropped low and tackled him to the ground, pinning him before things could get even worse. It wasn’t the resolution I wanted, but in that moment, it felt like the only way to restore order.
That’s when I had no choice but to put him in timeout. I set him down in the corner of the locker room, told him to think about how he was behaving, and walked a few paces off. Of course, I was still close enough to watch and make sure he stayed put. He gave me those big eyes, trying to test my resolve, but I wasn’t having it today.
Sometimes being his daddy means dealing with these moments, even if they’re frustrating. He doesn’t always understand that I’m doing these things because I care about him and want him to learn. By the time I went back to him, he seemed calmer, even if he was still a little pouty. “Are you ready to listen now?” I asked, and he gave me a small nod.
It’s not always easy with Mitchell, but I know these moments are part of the process. He’s learning, and so am I.
Journal Prompt:
Imagine you’re in the gym with Mitchell, and he starts giving you attitude about something he doesn’t want to do. How would you handle the situation? Would you choose to address his behavior immediately, or would you give him space first? Reflect on how your response might help him learn and grow while maintaining a positive relationship.