When we tell James, our four year old, that it's time for a bath he knows bed time is just around the corner. His bartering method lately has been to toss up his hands and ask for "this many minutes" before he has to get in the tub. He then changes the subject as quickly as possible, usually seeking out some form of insect or wildlife for me to explain.
First he wanted a good picture of the vine on the tree at the edge of the yard, so he could "remember where it was later and find it". He then spotted a small spider on his way in and showed a little too much enthusiasm in it's origins and reason for existing... So we snapped a picture and hit the web site and, as usual, didn't identify it. But he did manage to squeeze out several more minutes before bath time.... He knows I have a weakness for his feigned interest in useless subject matter, but for some reason, I don't usually mind a bit...
4 comments:
He looks like he's reaching for cake.
see, it's conundrums like this that make me wary of being a competent parent. How do you know when to give in and let their genius grow or put your foot down and let them know who's boss?
lol, i asked him how many minutes he wanted & he showed me, then promptly got pissed when i snapped the picture... the thing about the conundrum is actually easy, by the time they get to the point where you can simply tell them what to do, you know when they are playing you... but like i said, sometimes you let them get away with it for a bit, because its fun... but you still get frustrated at times... you'll see.. it'll come easy to you, you will just know.
Being a parent is great. Being a grand parent is fantastic. Don't have to worry about how long to let them stay up. Letting them get away with it is a good way of getting even with your kids.
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