On an average day, we are presented with approximately 29 opportunities to put the proverbial parental foot down.
The Five Year Old Manual apparently includes entire chapters on "How to Dig In Your Heels" and "How To Pick Fights With Your Parents."
Thankfully, I am married (excuse me, domestically partnered and eventually may be civil unioned, arrgh) to a genius.
When Little Mr. Wonderful started kicking up a fight about the necessity of making the transition to long-sleeved shirts and long pants as the mercury dropped, my better half came up with a brilliant action plan.
She put him out.
Literally.
Just for a minute or so, you understand. It went like this:
Tama: Well, sweetie, the weatherman thinks it's going to be pretty cold out today, but you're feeling like you don't want to wear warmer clothes, is that right?
D: Right.
Tama: Okay, maybe the weatherman was wrong about today. Here's the deal. You go out the back door in the clothes you think are warm enough, and run around to the front door. When I let you in, you tell me whether you were warm. Are you ready?
D (always happy for an excuse to run, and not quite believing his good fortune): Ready!
Tama: On your marks, get set, GO! (Opens back door and releases t-shirt and shorts-clad five year old into the wild.)
7 seconds later at the front door, D: Oh my gosh, the weatherman was wrong, it's not just cold, it's FREEZING, I need two jackets, quick, Tama, quick, before the frost bites me!!
Common Sense: 1
Foolhardy Exposure: 0
5 comments:
Ha Ha I hope that works at my house too!
Excellent work - D blows off a little steam and makes his own decision (at least in his mind) - what's not to like.
What a wise parent Tama is!
Using one's strong will against one's strong will. Brilliant!
genius indeed! ok i'm saving this for future reference. at the moment i'm trying to learn toddler-ese.
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