Mother's needs (part 3)

When Christmas came around, Tatiana was dismayed when she unwrapped two of the large packages under the tree. In one was a new pair of silver colored snow boots, knee high, the exterior made of quilted nylon, and the inside fully lined with faux fur and topped with a fur cuff, very warm and cozy. They were probably even warmer than the ones she already had, but the coldest months of the year were still to come.

The other package had a very long and heavy coat, in a deep burgundy color. I knew that Tatiana knew what coat it was, it was a Canada Goose Mystique. The longest and warmest coat that they made. It was a full length coat reaching down to the ankles, made with a strong outer layer to block the wind,  and plenty of bulky down in the inside quilting to make it toasty. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth ensuring my daughter was warm in the cold Canadian winter.

"I don't think anyone at school is ever going  to be wearing anything as heavy as this, but ohh well, at least the color is pretty..." Tatiana was disappointed, but it was also obvious that she had expected something like this for Christmas.

"Why don't try it on and show your mother how it fits you?"

She stood up and quickly put her arms inside the coat. She stood with her arms slightly lifted.

"It seems too big. And I'm not but a kid anymore. I won't 'grow into it'."

"I know, I got it for you on a bigger size so that you can layer something underneath it. Go grab your short down coat and your snow pants, and try your new coat over them." I could see Tatiana mortified, but she had been raised right and complied with her mother's instructions.

 "Winter is just getting started." I said.

Adding the extra coat on top of everything she normally wore wasn't the easiest adjustment for Tatiana, but I made it obvious for her that I mandated it. She eventually seemed to have gotten used to wearing the layers I imposed on her. It relieved me to see that big burgundy bundle slowly trudging home after school. I knew she was warm and protected underneath.

The first week after the Christmas break Tatiana seemed to be sticking to her dress code. I had enlisted the help of the principal at Tatiana's high school to keep an eye on her. Given our story, she gladly agreed to ensure Tatiana was properly dressed and didn't get sick. Everyday I was confident she was wearing her layers while going to school and while coming back home... until Thursday. Tatiana came into the house holding her new long coat and her snow pants in her hands, she was only wearing her regular down coat. As soon as she stepped into the house she threw them at my feet, and turned around towards her room.

"I just can't... I don't care anymore. I had a horrible day and the last thing I wanted to do was squeeze into those dumb snow pants and that awfully hot coat. Do whatever you feel like doing... I don't care."

I did not bring up Tatiana's transgression that evening, not the following Friday. I did not want her to loose more school. But come Saturday morning, Tatiana was appalled when she come into living room upon waking up.

There was a mummy style sleeping bag with an integrated hood that would leave only the face exposed once the occupant was zipped in.

"Tatiana, you need to follow your mother's rules. You knew you were going to be reprimanded for not following your mother's dress code. Let's do this the easy way..."

"You're... You're going get me inside that monstrous sleeping bag...!?"

"Yes, you're going in one way or another. I want you to really understand that you don't have it that bad with your dress code."

"Ok, let's get it over with... " Tatiana responded. "If this kind of torture is your idea of discipline, so be it."

Tatiana started to try to figure out the sleeping bag, trying to find where to open it and where to slip in her legs.

"Not so fast, young girl. You're not getting off that easy. You're going to get the whole experience during your reprimand. I have already picked a couple of leggings and sweaters, just as if you were going out. And don't worry, I didn't forget to pick a vest for you. Put them on and then go and put on your snow pants, coats (and by that I mean both of them, the short one and the maxi one), gloves, mittens and snow boots. You didn't want to wear them last Thursday? I'll make sure you wear them today."

Tatiana frowned and went to the coat closet to get her things. While she started slipping into her snow pants and down coats, I could see in her face that she was devastated. I had to hold back my tears. I didn't want her to suffer, but also didn't want her to get sick due to the cold.

"I'm done, you can now put me away in that horrendous thing."

"Put up your hoods... Both of them..." I nearly chocked.

After she was fully dressed, I helped her into the sleeping sack, which was lying on the living room sofa. I carefully zipped up the mummy sleeping bag until only her face was visible. It was a tight fit with all of the layers she was wearing underneath. I pulled on the drawstrings to adjust the hood of the sleeping bag to ensure it wouldn't slip of Tatiana's head. It was a very snug fit with both hoods underneath.

Once Tatiana was zipped up in the sleeping bag, I brought out a plastic bag from the hardware store. It contained four thick nylon straps, with ratchet closings. You see, I didn't sew any rings into the sleeping bag, or Tatiana's new long coat. But I still wanted to make sure she would stay put during her discipline.

I wrapped the four straps around Tatiana's body. One around her ankles, the second just above her knees, another one at hip level holding her wrists, and the final one just below her chest, holding her upper arms tight against her body. Between all of the layers she was wearing there was a lot of give to tighten the straps. She was not going anywhere.

Tatiana was completely enclosed and immobile inside the sleeping bag. Only her sweaty face was showing. Struggling against the tight nylon straps going around the sleeping bag was going to get her nowhere.

"After spending some time enclosed in this sleeping bag, your long down coat will feel almost light..."

"This is very uncomfortable..."

"I know dear, but it's important for you to understand that your mother cares about you and needs you to dress warmly in the inclement weather... Breathe slowly and try not to struggle. It will pass easier."

I cannot deny that all of the recent events were beginning to affect me. To share some of my daughter's penitence (or perhaps because I was feeling guilty I was being too harsh), I went to coat closet and took out one of my fur coats... It was going to be a long Saturday.

To be continued...