First I tried to talk him through unbuckling the car seat. We haven't worked on this before because, frankly, I've been happy that he can't get himself out of the seat by himself. He got the top of the buckle after only about five minutes and was proud of himself. The bottom buckle is much more difficult so we took a little break and then started working on it. "Pinch the buckle with both of your thumbs on the red button. Listen and feel for the click, then slide it down." I must have said this or a version of this 30 times. This was very frustrating for him.
Meanwhile I called AAA and they said it would be about 40 minutes. I then called 911 (I know, non-emergency, but 40 minutes felt like too long.) As I was on hold with 911, Wyatt asked me to go inside and get his pliers from his tool bench. I brought back a couple of screwdrivers and a wrench which he informed me would not work. I finally found the pliers and slipped them through the window crack to Wyatt while I was still on hold with 911. In under a minute, he opened the buckle using the pliers and the crisis was averted. AAA pulled up at this very moment and praised Wyatt for being a problem solver. The driver asked Wyatt if he'd like to start working with him and Wyatt beamed.
Wyatt's patience, persistence and creativity amaze me. I had exhausted my reserve of creativity but he kept thinking and eventually figured it out. I see the qualities that I love in Garett in three year old form in Wyatt. Wyatt's persistence sometimes shows up at moments when I wish it didn't but I am trusting that God will use this beautiful strength for His purposes during the course of Wyatt's life. I got a simple glimpse of that today and am thankful for my determined child.
3 comments:
I just read this to Ben and we were laughing so hard! So amazing that he thought of that. Nice job on keeping your cool mama. :)
You are awesome in so many ways, but the way you wrote about Wyatt and his strengths made me love you even more. That little boy is so lucky to have you as his mom! Way to survive that one, and at least it wasn't 1) with the engine running, 2) on an 85 degree summer day, and 3) in the very public parking lot of the pool so when the police arrive you can't hide that it was you who locked your 9 month old into the car. With the keys still in the ignition. But I wouldn't know anything about that.
Wow, this is amazing, Amy! He is so like his dad to find the right tool to get the job done.
Jen, your comment CRACKS ME UP.
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