Do they deserve to go?

[MrsSnape]

Just a quickie...

I told my kids I'd take them to their favouirte resteraunt today. I told them this yesterday and I was awoken this morning by them fighting, messing around downstairs, things getting knocked over, DS2 threatening DS1, glasses being taken and hidden, frequent trips upstairs to tell me (who was still in bed, it WAS early!) what each other had done as if it was all just one big joke.

Now this trip to the restraunt would cost me around £30 and TBH, this week it will be a stretch and will make me skint for the rest of the week.

Now I'm thinking why should I take them when they can't even behave downstairs on their own? they're 9 and 7 so not babies either.

But I did promise...so am I being harsh in NOT taking them or should I blame myself for not being up early enough and take them anyway?

They won't have equated having to be good this morning with going to the restaurant unless you explained that to them last night....

Take them anyway. If you intend something to be conditional on some other behaviour you should make that clear at the time of offering it, IMO.

If you don't take them, they'll just spend all day causing a rumpus anyway... atleast you'll all cheer up if you go out.

Give them a telling off then say if IF they are good for the rest of the day and tidy up the mess they have made etc then you will still take them out, that way they have a chance to redeem themselves, you don't feel harsh and the mess is tidied and you can relax while they do it, everyones a winner!