A peek inside life with my son from 7 years ago.  

So I am walking my 7 year old boy home from school the other day.  He tells me that he got into trouble.  “What did you do?”  I ask.  “Well, it happened during recess.  I was playing with Josh and the bell rang.  Josh told me it was the first bell when it was really the second, so when the third bell rang, I wasn’t in line.  The teacher made me give her back a dollar.”  (A reward system she created using fake dollars as incentives)

So Jameson says, “I tried to tell her that it wasn’t my fault but she just interrupted me and took the dollar.”

“Well, Jameson,” I said,  “The teacher is trying to teach you responsibility.  It is your responsibility to listen for the bell and be back in the line on time.  If all of your friends jumped off a bridge...” (Yes, I really used this cliche', I blame it on a three year old at home, and lack of sleep), “Would you do it and then blame them for your action?”  “Well, Yeh”, he said, “It would be their fault.”

I chuckled a little to myself thinking how easy it was to make excuses and blame others for things that happen to us in our lives.  I’ve been known to coddle my boy so why should I be surprised when he can’t own up to his own mistakes.  He’ll learn in time, I am sure. 

Follow-up

So it's 7 years later and he wouldn't dare say he would follow anyone else off a bridge.  We are making progress.  Still tends to blame a teacher if his grades are less than stellar, however.  :)  Love that kid.