Sunday, February 13, 2011
Taming the Octopus
I have always been of the school of thought that children have to learn to behave in public places. Do mine? Not as often as I would like. But it doesn't stop me from trying every trick in my Mama book to get them too. Recently I have been trying out 2 different ways to tame the octopus that is my 4 kids in the aisle.
First method: I make a list and allow them to procur the things that I need. I figure if I am telling them that it's OK to touch certain things that we are buying that it will keep their hands off of everything else.
Second method: If you can't keep your hands off of things they belong in your pocket.
Last week while grocery shopping I was working these methods like no one's business...along with a healthy dose of shhing and distracting. First I will admit that we were in the store a lot longer than usual and with OK Snowpocalypse looming we weren't the only ones going to be snowed in without supplies. In short...it was stressful. We had made it through the grocery section and were grabbing a few supplies from health and beauty. On the way out of the store we were walking past the Valentine's Day section...one look at all the red hearts and I wanted to grab a few extras for the loves of my life. I asked my oldest to grab 4 Hershey's Hearts and 1 Ferro Roche. My 10 year old stomped over, grabbed them and trudged back muttering:
I'm tired of being your maid.
After carefully considering my options about what to say...
I went with:
Tired of being my maid? Are you kidding me? Do you know that I grew you? Do you know that my body will never be the same for carrying you around for 10 months and then giving birth to you? Do you know that I changed and wiped your butt for 4 years? What about the fact that on a daily basis I take care of you, feed and clothe you? How about the fact that I am there for you, love you and protect you? I've got news for you Buddy -- you owe me big time.
What would you have said?
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I think that's the best explanation ever! Did it work?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great answer! I would probably go with... "You aren't my maid. Maids get paid. You are my slave" or "Suck it up buttercup or you can come up with money to pay rent, utilities and buy your own food too." Having lived through teenagers the nice factor is gone in this house. Don't worry, one day they'll have kids of their own and be faced with the same situations. Its the circle of life.
ReplyDeleteWell, I would have told him that maids don't get candy for one thing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day to you!
I think that's a wonderful explanation. I would have said the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHappy valentine's day! I hope you and your husband have a wonderful day together.
I would have said something like, "Oops, I forgot. The maid doesn't need one. Put one of those back."
ReplyDeleteLove it! If I overheard you in the store, I'd totally smile and send over some "You totally rock" thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, what was his response to your rant? I probably would have told my son to kick rocks and test out the real world, his "apron" will be waiting when he returns.
ReplyDelete