My dad had a look he could give me that would cause me to flee in terror. I think in all my years of childhood and absolutely obnoxious behavior he spanked me once, still, I had that fear. I thought of it as a healthy fear. Today I wonder how he managed to instill that fear because my children lack it. Both of them. They like to look straight at me and continue to do exactly what they've just been told not to do. It's not just me, either. They do it to Jeremiah.
Tonight while getting ready for bed Sarah discovered some hair clip that, for whatever reason, made her excited and happy. She picked it up, exclaiming over it and Kate snatched it from her and threw it into the toilet as the toilet was flushing. Sarah was, of course, reduced to a torrent of tears. "NO STORY" was Jeremiah's apoplectic response to the event. I missed it. I was sauteing some kale. Steve and Joy were here and we all heard the screaming but it's pretty par for the course at bedtime so we thought nothing of it.
So Kate did not get the bedtime story and she was furious with her Dad about that. By the time I went up to kiss them goodnight she seemed to be over it. Sarah was not. She told me all about how Kate had something something down the toilet something something that's BAD. Kate appeared not the least bit contrite. At 4, she is a million times worse than she ever was at 2 or 3. Everyone talks about the Terrible Twos and warns that at 3 they're even worse, but neither was all that true of Kate. No, she's really hit her stride at 4. Petulant, I'd say. What was Dad's secret? I knew better than to even strike "a tone" with my mom, too. I need to know how to get my kids to that point because right now I'm reasonably certain they are killing me.
10 comments:
"I missed it. I was sauteing some kale." Classic! +1 WMP...
Chris' mom says a four-year-old is like a two-year-old who knows better and because of this, four is her least favorite age. So far, I agree with her assessment and wish you all the luck in the world.
Perhaps a trip to Target for Sarah to choose a new happy-place hairclip is in order?
Your fifth kid will feel the fear.
There was a post either here or on WME about kids not knowing that you feed, house and clothe them by choice. Maybe the fear comes with the understanding of this choice.
I don't recall when I started to fear my parents. I just figured they tortured me during that period of cognizant development. It too late for Kate, but there is a short window with Sarah.
I'm pretty sure that hair clip will slow your drain down a bit more. I'm afraid Jeremiah and I are going to have to crawl under the house this thanksgiving to remove a 2-year-old from the drain line. Actually, it might be easier to attach a shop vac to the vent pipe on the roof.
Word Verification: orecomm
the next word verification eas even better:
hosestee
that is the shirt worn at a wet t-shirt contest
@Karen - I'm pretty impressed with myself for earning an off-site point! Sauteed kale for everyone!
@Sunglasses - If the pipes have managed to survive Jeremiah all this time, I'm not worried about some tiny 2-year-old.
@Keith - I suck?! YOU suck! (yeah, I said it.)
Since the clip belonged to Sarah and Kate is the one who threw in the toilet I would make Kate give Sarah one of her favorite hair clips in replacment. She may not fear you but she will remember the lesson each time Sarah wears Kate's favorite hair thingy. I do this with my boys...I just mean though. AND you are totally correct...2 is a piece of cake compared to 4.
Your boys wear hair clips? ;)
I think your parents just have the mojo, I suspect it can't be learned. I know I wouldn't mess with your parents and I'm not even their kid.
Yep...when they manage to actually clip some of mine in their own hair. Their dad is just so proud.
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