The scene: Bedtime. We’ve just finished reading stories.
Dad: “Tyler, are you ready to go to sleep?”
Tyler, while shaking his head: “Noo.” It sounds more like “new” coming from his mouth, and he puckers his lips while saying it.
Dad: “Are you tired?”
Tyler: “Ya.”
Dad: “Soooo, do you want to go to bed?”
Tyler: “Ya.”
This is the inaugural post of the “Conversations” category. We all have kids. We know they say funny things. I’m sure what Tyler says is funnier to me, in the moment, than when you read it, but these posts will be short, and I’m sure you can cope with it. As Tyler learns to say more and more things, and tries to converse with us, you’ll see this category grow… and you can say you’ve been there since its inception.
2010-05-15 - The Army Crawl, and Rock on.mpg
2010-05-09 - Happy Father's Day, Grandpa
2010-05-07 - Tyler Reads Books
2010-05-07 - Tyler plays with Luci and says Muffler
2010-05-07 - A Mile in Daddy's Shoes
2010-05-04 - Swinging and Getting Attacked by Delilah
2010-04-27 - Tyler does Shapes and Objects
2010-04-11 - Attack of the Tyler Monster
2010-05-29 Tyler and the snake
2010-05-09 - Happy Mother's Day, Grandma
It’s all in the wording, i’ve discovered. You made an error when you asked if he was ready to go to sleep. OF COURSE he isn’t! Same with Ben and potty training. We don’t ask him, do you have to go potty, because he always says no. We just say, Ben sit on the potty! Don’t ever give them the choice!!
Actually, it IS about choices. It’s a matter of giving him the right ones: Do you want covers or no covers? Pick one animal to sleep with. Door open or shut? It maintains the pretext that they are in charge.
I love that is talking now!
Not Afraid To Use It´s last blog ..Wait For It
I’m with NATUI in the choices debate. But as she rightly points out, you only give them choices that you are happy with. If you leave things open, you’ll be messing around all night. OK, kid, time for bed. Do you want to read the Sheep book or the Caterpillar book? Etc.
Don’t know how this became a debate on pro-choice for kids.
A Free Man´s last blog ..Delia don’t go ’round when the Devil’s loose
I’m totally agreeing with giving choices too. Let him choose from two acceptable choices. I love listening to him talk. And you’re right, the way he says no (when I’m in the right mood, of course) is adorable.
Sarah´s last blog ..12 or 13, who’s counting?
Just wait until the cursing starts. It still cracks me up! Does that make me a terrible mother?? Wait, don’t answer that.
Brenda-SeriouslyMama´s last blog ..My not so secret affair.