Mr. Fix-It

When Carter asked me after school if I had ever heard of a "Fix-it Plan," I assumed he was referring to the federal bail-outs since, you know, he seems so attuned to domestic affairs these days. I was way off track.

It was something far simpler. He got in trouble. Now he has to "fix it."

Apparently, in gym class, while they were not in the gym but outside snowshoeing, he threw a snowball at someone... and got caught. His teacher pulled him aside and gave Carter a worksheet for a Fix-it Plan. Basically, he has to state how he misbehaved, why it was inappropriate behavior, how he plans to fix it (i.e. apologize) and what consequences he's willing to pay for his actions (sit out one gym class). Then the student, parent and teacher have to sign it.

What a great idea. It certainly makes a child think twice about his actions. We adults could learn a lesson from that.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all were on a Fix-it Plan? It can be as simple as this: Take continuous stock of your thoughts and actions. When you are wrong, promptly admit it. Learn from your mistake and move on.

Now when I say it is simple, that doesn't mean it's easy.

First, it's not that easy to admit we are doing something wrong if no one calls us on it. "Where did that snowball come from? I didn't see who threw it, did you?"

Secondly, it's really tough to admit that our opinion, sometimes a deep conviction, could be wrong. We have to examine our line of thinking and determine if we are really all that smart or just plain stubborn. Ugh. That's a tough one.

Finally, it's not easy to tell someone (especially a close friend or family member) we did or said something intentionally that could have hurt them -- emotionally or physically. Trust me, if we don't own up to it, resentments will fester and cause far more long-term damage to the relationship. Just man up and move on!

When you think about it, the official "fix-it" document just reflects what we all should have learned as children anyway. "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." In other words, no matter what your age, "Play nice in the sandbox!"