You try so hard to do the “right things” as a parent. You show limitless love and adoration (even when you feel like pulling your hair out), you try to teach by example (like eating your meals with a fork, instead of your fingers) and you really, REALLY try to use positive language when correcting their behavior (like when your 4 year-old is trying out his new pile drive technique on your 2-1/2 year-old). But alas, you come to a point where you look at your kids (and possibly your spouse) and ask, “what are we doing wrong!” (Hopefully I’m not alone here.)

Sometimes I wonder  if I have a look of desperation and helplessness on my face, because I’ve been told MANY times by friends and strangers alike, that “they are boys, that’s how they are supposed to act!…” or one that I used to get by the kind, older ladies at church was “Wow, Matthew is so energetic!”…that one made my husband chuckle (and me weep a little) because what we really read into that comment was: “Wow, you have zero control over your son and he almost knocked me over trying to grab another doughnut!”

So, when a moment of compassion and/or manners shine through, it’s best to pause and savor the moment.  Because, let’s be honest, you never know exactly when another instance might occur.  Such an event happened last night. 

Yesterday afternoon I decided to play around with a new cupcake recipe.  And if anyone follows me on twitter, you probably saw my post about the #cupcakefail.   I’ll be quite frank here, this was my first attempt at adapting a homemade ALLERGY FREE recipe (it was gluten free AND egg free) – so I did give myself a little slack.  But, let’s just say they weren’t the most delicious creations that have come out of my kitchen, and in fact, I ended up throwing all of them out and just licking the frosting off of a few (The chocolate mocha frosting WAS delicious). 

I frosted a small cupcake for each little guy and then stood there a moment to get their reactions.  I was so pleased (and skeptical) to hear my 2-1/2yo say “Dee-licious”, he then proceeded to eat his entire cupcake.  I asked Matthew, the 4yo, if he liked it and he said “Yes, mommy, I like it.  It’s yummy” (ahhhhh….).  Even though I had to then ask him repeatedly if he was going to finish it – so I actually question his sincerity. 

Usually at the dinner table, my 4yo would have let out a blood curdling scream, stating that “it’s YUCKY!” and then thrown it down onto the table, only then to be followed by my 2-1/2yo throwing his down and crying because it’s “monkey-see, monkey-do” in my house!

My conclusions were that A) they were either so starved for something sweet and chocolaty that they’d eat ANTYHING or B) perhaps those lessons on being polite have started to sink in! 

Since they are typically covered in either chocolate or candy bits, I’ve decided to pause and savor the moment, and assume that it was “B”.

Amy Trapp the mom of two boys and the creator of TriSupporter, a blog where she writes about her family and faith. She’s also on Twitter @AmydTrapp.