May I have some ice water please?

Okay, don’t laugh, but ever since I was a little girl I have wanted one of those side by side refrigerators with an ice and water dispenser. When we bought our house 2 years ago I was so excited to be able to buy one. I was insistent upon getting just the right one. I love it and have gotten to where I love drinking ice cold water, all day long. My children are even able to get their own water without needing mom’s assistance. Even Megan, 2 years old, has been drinking ice cold water ever since she was able to drink water.

During the summer when it was so hot I would put Megan in bed with a cup of water, ice water. She has gotten a little spoiled and insists on having a cup of water every night, with ice. Last night was no different except that I decided that I was the adult here and that I really shouldn’t be told what to do by a 2 year old, even a cute 2 year old. So when I gave her her water and it didn’t have ice in it (it had ice in it at dinner, but she didn’t drink it and the ice melted) she of course got mad. “No, Megan want ice!” I gently explained to her that her water was just fine without ice and that if she wanted a drink of water this was it. I know it is my fault for indulging her all this time, and giving into her demands for ice water. For several minutes she screamed and I tried to calm her down and assure her that I did indeed love her even if I didn’t get her ice water. She ended up crying until she fell asleep while I sat on the couch feeling like the worst mom in the world. Luckily Scott was there to reassure me that I was doing the right thing.

I know that in the scheme of things ice water isn’t really that big of a deal, it was the whole principle though. When exactly did I lose control and let my life be run by a two year old? I swore that as a mother I would teach my children rules and boundaries and not be one who catered to every whim and desire that they might have. This isn’t to say that they aren’t entitled to their own likes and dislikes or their own opinions. I do believe this is important, but that doesn’t mean that they will always get what they want, when the want it. I am wondering tonight if we will go through this all over again, or if I should just give her ice water to start with. Oh the tough decisions of being a mother! ;)