Just for RGV Moms

By Allyson Reynolds Dixon

Brad Pitt caught a little backlash from folks last week for saying he uses Coke to get his kids out of bed and ready for the day.

I have to admit that I, too, was a little dismayed. Because if Brad Pitt walked into my room and said, “Let’s get ready for the day,” I’d be up and at ‘em immediately. No Coca-Cola required.

But I also chuckled because how many of us have given the kids a tiny dose of Benadryl to get them to go to sleep?

A little Coca-Cola to wake them up?

Sorry, but which does the most damage long term? Priming them for a lifelong addiction to caffeine they’ll probably get in college anyway? Or giving them something to make them sleep because it’s late and they’re driving you nuts. Hindsight being what it is, I would now opt for the caffeine

I know, and I’m prepared for the “Horrible mother” comments, and you’d probably be right in saying that. My response will be that parents make poor choices all the time and, for the most part, our kids persevere and, through God’s grace, succeed in spite of us. And we learn something, too.

As for our morning routine, Michael’s dad, stepdad and I differ greatly in our styles of waking up the child.

Michael’s dad thinks the best way to wake him up is to just go in, flip on the light and say “Get up, Bud.” I think people who believe that’s an acceptable way to wake someone should be stabbed in the eyeball with a red hot poker. The jarring sensation probably isn’t much different.

My parenting style is to go in early, say, “Sweetheart, it’s time to start thinking about getting ready for the day now.” Ten minutes later, “Michael, honey, it’s about an hour before you need to leave for school, so just open one eye.” Pause. “Yes, of course I’ll scratch your legs.” Ten minutes later and having furthered the beginnings of carpal tunnel, “OK, let’s get up now.” And 10 minutes later and 10 minutes later … and then he’s gulping down breakfast and slurping orange juice as we rush through traffic to make it.

His stepfather, Richard, has found a happy medium. Richard gives him two chances to get out of bed and then he flips on the light switch and pulls off the covers.

We vacillate between stark reality, butterfly kisses and some sense of normalcy.

What’s y’alls’ method for waking up your kids? And does it involve caffeine?

You can reach me here or at adixon@themonitor.com.

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