Watching my tone...

Something really interesting happened today. We had just gotten in the car and Orion was asking to listen to some music. The CD he wanted was in a case... somewhere in the car, but things have gotten so piled up in there this winter that I couldn't even see it. I tried moving a few things around, but still couldn't find it, so I said something about how messy the car is and that is why I have said before we need to clean it out so we can find things. I didn't think I had said it in a mean tone or anything, but Orion said, "Moooom, say it nice." !!!!! So I said, "Oh, did you not like my tone?" because we talk about that sometimes, and then said, "Hey, we need to clean the car out," in a really cheerful way. He said, "I like that tone much better!" LOL It was funny, but really thought provoking at the same time.

My first thought was that I must not realize how I sound sometimes. I have been really tired and achy this pregnancy, and I know it is affecting my mood, so I am trying to find a way to be more upbeat. My second thought was that he might have felt blamed. I didn't think my words or tone conveyed that, but the fact he spoke up makes me wonder.... My final thought was a bit more positive. :) I am happy that I am raising a son who *will* speak up. I have heard him say several things I say to him when he doesn't like what I am doing. Once when I lost my temper, he yelled back at me, "Don't yell at me!" Good for him. I try to be a good model for him, and things like this remind me that it works and that I need to think about the more subtle things that may be affecting him as well.