Loss of antique

Recently I lost one of my antique chairs to the children. It had survived a visit from my mother in law but I had not tucked it back into a safe un used location after she left. The chair completely shattered under the boys use. I opted not to be angry. When I heard the crash I decided I would look at it the next day. I would ignore it and give myself time as I knew it would be devastating. The boys were surprised I didn't have a conniption and were grateful.

The next day I saw the damage. It is pretty much kindling. It's old brittle wood in shards. It had a lot of history attached to it and now that all was gone. I sat the boys down and told them gently how saddened I was by the loss, how expensive the chair was, and how special it was. I told them we had many fragile and expensive antiques. I explained they were all irreplaceable heirlooms. I pointed out other chairs just as fragile and special.

Surprisingly they took it to heart. Tonight, they were playing a game with friends and some one rocked back in a chair. The boys reprimanded their friend telling him the chairs were fragile and special, irreplaceable historic objects, from the revolutionary war no less, and very valuable, and to please treat the chairs with care. I heard it all from my office unobserved. So, maybe my antiques will survive my boys after all. The one that did not, gave it up for the rest. I am still saddened by the loss, but by not losing my temper over the loss of a very valuable antique the boys were more respectful and guilty, rather than resentful, as they would have been if I had yelled and freaked out. It is still a painful loss, but I have hopes it will be the last one we have. The boys will remember the chair and be more respectful of the rest of our furniture. They are also saddened by the loss of a chair that had so much history attached to it.

I tentatively look forward to now getting furniture fixed and out of storage that I had feared to use. I do notice the boys are not making the joints squeak anymore on the chairs we do have and use regularly.