Saying mean things

Odan was upset I wouldn't let him watch another movie after just finishing one. He walks into the kitchen and says,

O: "Mom, I hope you go away and never come back."

I scolded him and he continued with his bad mood, periodically saying mean things. After a few back and forth exchanges I explained,

M: "Odan, if you don't change your attitude you are going to start losing privileges."

O: "Okay mom, I changed my attitude."

A minute later he walks into the kitchen almost in tears holding his paper airplane which he had crumpled in his anger.

O: "Mom, can you fix my paper airplane? It's all wrinkled and won't fly."

M: "Odan, you can't un-crumple crumpled paper. Why did you do that?"

In tears,

O: "I was mad, can't you just straighten it?"

I tried my best to flatten it out, gave Odan a hug and used the opportunity to explain to him that when we say mean things, we can't unsay them. Just like when you crumple paper, you can't un-crumple it. We talked about the importance of controlling our temper, and I made sure to let him know it's okay to feel angry and frustrated, we just need to be careful what we do and say when we feel that way. It was a great reminder to me and a wonderful teaching moment on a random Tuesday night. :)