Speak to me, hamster

I feel so bad for my kids because things are going to get really ugly around here this afternoon. And it's all because of a tiny plastic hamster. You see, my 4-year old son lost the hamster somewhere in my room this morning. This hamster, no larger than a thimble, is a favorite toy of my daughter's. That it hasn't been lost before is a mystery, but I guess she's just taken good care of it. She begged me to let her take it to school today; I said no, so she left it in the hands of her brother as she boarded the bus. Poor trusting soul. Within 15 minutes I heard the whine -- the hamster was lost.

My son and I have spent all morning tearing my room apart. Mattress is off the bed, bedding in a heap, trash can picked through, shoes dumped over, rug upended -- no hamster. So now I'm faced with the dread of telling my daughter the bad news. The former PR exec in me thinks we should craft a crisis communication plan and memorize our key talking points to minimize the damages. Part of me is packing a suitcase and wishing my son well as I deposit him at the bus station. But deep down I know an important, painful lesson will be learned today. Forgiveness.

It's one of those things that I struggle with -- letting go of resentment. So I'm not sure how well I can help her navigate her emotions. That's what we're supposed to do, right? Maybe we can both learn a thing or two together. As for little brother, I know he feels bad. What will he learn from all of this? These little life lessons are so important for them to experience (so I've been told) but I'm also hoping I can find the damn rodent before 3:15pm and avoid all of this.

UPDATE: Er, do you ever get worked up over something that *might* happen, and then ultimately doesn't? Yeah, she really wasn't upset about the plastic hamster. No biggie. No lessons learned. No need for mom to swoop in and offer wise counsel. So now I'm a little worried about her reaction. Doesn't seem normal. Oh for pete's sake woman, you obviously have way too much time on your hands.

Comments

[kirsten Haarstad]

You could try setting out iceburg lettuce to find out if the hamster is still in that room. My cousin has 5 children who love hamsters too but cage lids always get left open and she has found 2 hamsters using this method.

[Julie]

Do they make plastic Iceberg Lettuce? :) ~J