Equality

I walked into the girls room to tuck them into bed to be informed by Erin that Katie was crying and would not say why. Katie attempted to brush aside her tears as "hormones" only to find that Mom was not going to buy that reason. Katie was working herself into a fine tizzy over the unfairness of her life. Erin had joyfully related her great fortune in having been treated to an ice cream cone while her sibs were out at their evening activities. Katie somehow missed the opportunity to be glad for her sister's good fortune. Thanks to the burden of a green-eyed moster, the child spiraled into misery as she proceeded to pile up a list of missed treats. She literally wailed her final woe. (In case you are curious, Evan & Erin ate the last pieces of chocolate bread at Christmas while she was taking a nap.) I tenderly brushed Katie's hair back from her face, wiped away her tears, and promised to be sure to ground her next time I find it necessary to impose restriction on one of her siblings. The water works dried up as the sniffling burst into a cough that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Erin chose that moment to proclaim that, "Mom and Dad don't treat us all the same because we are not all the same!". I gave both the girls a hug, pointed out that while we do not give them each identical perks and treats, neither do they have to share one another's disciplinary actions. Point made, I kissed both girls Good Night and headed off to bed.