Years ago, when my 13-year-old was only 3, I was trying to get him to pick up his toys, and he was ignoring me. Or maybe he was just getting distracted. Or it could have been a little bit of both. I didn’t really know. Finally, exasperated, I said in the sternest voice I could muster, “Come here, young man!”
His response was not at all what I expected. I finally had his attention, but he just looked at me, giggled, and said, “I’m not a young man!”
His older brother, who was 5, was quick to jump in.
“You’re a young girl!” he exclaimed.
As much as I wanted to keep a straight face (after all, teaching a child to obey is serious business), I just couldn’t do it. I squeezed my lips together in a tight line, but they started to curl up at the corners, and then little explosions of laughter started to burst out. I finally just gave in and enjoyed the moment, laughing with my two wacky boys.
I forgot all about trying to train my 3-year-old to do as he was told. But I did connect with my kids, and something tells me that was probably the right thing to do in the moment.
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I would be honored to have the privilege of encouraging you on a regular basis!
Other wacky things my kids have said.