Show-N-Tell

Cole's Montessori class has Show-n-Tell every Monday and Thursday. Due to Cole's 3-day attendance he only has Thursday to bring something to share and discuss with his classmates should he want to. Each week I give him notice that if he wants to choose something, he should think about it the night before, however inevitably he changes his mind seventeen times. With a ten minute warning in the morning before departure, he makes his "final" decision, I then put the required name label on it and as we rush to get out the door, 9/10 times he'll go "mom, I've changed my mind, I want to take X". I sigh and 5/9 times let him go and pick something else, while 4/9 times I make him stick with his choice regardless of the pleading and tears. It has become a ritual of sorts and we laugh about it, 5/9 times. One morning when I was less on patience but attempting so hard to keep my calm composure I said "Cole, we go through this every week, you know you have to bring something, it is a bit frustrating to be having this conversation again!" He replied "but mom, it is hard to choose since I have to share and talk about it". I had to give him credit for his logic was sound. He couldn't find anything and exasperated he dropped his voice and replied in a shaky tone "I guess I won't take anything today". I was determined to get out the door with a laugh so I retorted "well, why don't you take me for show-n-tell!?" Without a moment's hesitation he goes "Mom, you're not educational". I laughed and said "oh but I disagree!" His reply "no, that's okay, you're my mom, I don't want to share you with everyone" He looked at me with the most genuine expression and in that moment I realized that what seemed like a trivial decision was much more important to him that I had been aware of. Another lesson learned...thank you Cole.