Mom, something bad happened....

....and I mean really bad!

I'm sure I've heard this comment a hundred times before and it's always turned out to be minor stuff like, the TV shut off because we were recording a show on the PVR or the cap of the toothpaste fell down the drain or his marker went on the kitchen table or something like this.

So yesterday seemed no different when he said: "Mom, something really bad happened, and I mean really bad"

As I walked up the stairs, I could smell a VERY strong smell of SMOKE. He continued to describe what happened, "I put my paper in the microwave for 10 seconds so it would dry for Daddy's book and at 4 seconds it started on fire and I didn't know what to do so I left it until 10 seconds was up and there was a fire in the microwave. I opened the door and blew the fire out. I was so scared, I felt like I was going to throw up."

I have NO idea WHY in the world I thought this was funny but I did, probably because everything turned out okay. I was trying my hardest not to laugh and lose the lesson in all of this. I pulled him into me to give him a hug and console him. As I hugged him it was clear he was very scared. He was shaking like a leaf, obviously very shaken about what had just happened. I hugged him and reminded him of being safe while using kitchen appliances.

But let me be VERY clear that I thank GOD for nothing more than a scared little boy with a harsh lesson learned.

I asked him why he put it in the microwave when I wasn't in the kitchen with him and he reminded me of a rule I taught him (just the other day) about using appliances in the kitchen. I taught him that you must always stay in the kitchen when using small appliances - but apparently forgot to mention that an adult should be with you also when you are only 7 years old. Wooops.. ..what a bad mommy!!!

It was a good experience for him and an opportunity to talk about more safety rules like - always have an adult in the kitchen when using appliances or never put paper or metal in the microwave and it was confirmation that you should always stay near when cooking something in the kitchen - even a piece of paper.

Okay - so this IS confirmation that I am a bad Mommy!!! My next immediate thought was (as he went back to what he was doing) "YES, yes, now I can finally get my new microwave". I WANT a new microwave, but do not NEED a new microwave. Mine still works great and I've told myself that I will NOT get a new one until this one dies. It just won't give up, it's 13 years old and works fantastic - even after a piece of paper went up in flames while it was running!