Joey’s new wheedling technique is “I NEVER get to ______”
“I never get to watch a movie anymore”
“I never get to go outside!”
“Why won’t you play with me…you never play with me anymore!” or the corollary, “My Daddy plays with me all the time.”
* * *
Scene: Interior, our house. Harold sits int the kitchen eating breakfast, Joey’s wrapped up in his blanket on the living room floor in the Anne Geddes position:
Joey (Rolls over): Harold, will you put on a movie for me?
Harold (looks up from cereal): No; I’ll turn-on Dragon Tales if you like.
[Joey sits up on haunches, makes cry face]
Joey: I NEVER get to watch a movie!!!
Insert, we took him to the theatre to watch “Curious George” yesterday
[Joey buries head in hands once more and starts to whimper]
Harold: Are ya done?
[Joey whimpers louder]
Harold: Come on, louder! Joe, you’re going to need to develop a new game, ‘cuz this one doesn’t work on me OR mommy. Now, I’ll turn on PBS but that’s it.
[Harold goes into living room, turns on tube and ensures the V-chip is set for ‘child’]
* * *
Yeah, harsh. Joey’s a smart kid, and the only reason he’ll persist with a behavior is if it works. I wanted to establish with him that I wouldn’t play his game and try to ‘reason with him’ that, yes, we did indeed let him do stuff.
I was the same way (well, lots worse) as a child. I don’t hold it against him; in a way, it’s just like a chick in a nest chirping louder to get more of the food mommy brings back–it’s natural. Still yet, this kind of behavior is maddening if left unchecked.
Googled on this today and came up with this advice:
Parenting Tip. Either refuse to argue, or assume the broken-record stance. I did the former today, but I’m looking forward to trying the latter. However, as Whitney advised me long ago, never involve yourself in a battle of wills with a child. They have plenty of time on their hands, and even beginning to play that game empowers them.
* * *
Thing about this whole thing is, I love Joey to death! I don’t hold any of this against him, and it doesn’t even make me angry. It’s cool, in an odd kind of way. I’m his parent now. :-)