Motivation

The three boys and I walked into Lowe's last month and immediately saw a problem.  There in front of us was one of those shiny new race car carts, complete with cool stickers and individual steering wheels.  The kind that's perfect for entertaining 1-2 toddlers.  We had a chat about the cart.  Can we take turns if we use this cart?  Whose turn was it going to be first?  We need to share or we have to put it back.  After I received agreement from all we started out, only to start hearing whining from the walking boy almost immediately.  Switch, more whining.  Again switch, more whining.  I was getting annoyed.  Then, all of the sudden it stopped.  "Would you like to ride in the cart Paddy?" asked Isaac earnestly.  "No, that's ok Isaac.  You can have a longer turn,"  Patrick replied generously.  This continued for about 10 minutes when I pulled the cart over and thanked them,  "I really like the way you two are taking turns.  It makes you happy to share with each other, doesn't it?"  Isaac looked up at me, "No, Mommy, that's not why we are doing it!  We are doing it to make you happy."  Patrick chimed in, "Yeah, we want you to be happy Mommy!" 

I have to remember this when it seems like they're out to get me.  They really are trying all the time, but a lot of times it's just the lapses I notice.