Nobody says it like kids can, just ask Bill Cosby.
I have created my own personal keepsake book of some of the funny things my kids have said or done over
the years because I don't want to forget those special moments. It has become a much-cherished item
in our household and been read many times over the years. We used a lot of humour in our child-rearing
and as a result have raised some pretty funny children. An example would be when I was having trouble making my point,
I would warn whomever it was, "It's never a good idea to upset the Mother." It all works pretty well until you hear your own words come back at you, especially in the right context as when one is negotiating their own interests and you hear your own words coming back in a slightly different format: "It's never a good idea to upset the kid!" Not so secretly, I am very proud that all three of our girls are witty, funny, and often have me collapsed with laughter.
I bet you have some of your own stories. If so, I'd love to hear them. Please write to me at haddon@istar.ca and let me know what your kids have been up to. I would be pleased to post a selection.
A tisket, a tasket........
My cousin, John, lives next door to a set of 4-year old boy/girl twins. The young lad likes to come over for a visit and this one day he explained that
he and his sister just received new bikes, and a meaningful discussion on carriers or basket on bikes ensued. He indicated he couldn't have a basket
on his bike as boy's bikes didn't have baskets, only girl's bikes. John asked, "Well, let's say your Mom wanted you to go to
the store to get a loaf of bread. How would you carry the bread home without a basket? After a moment of very careful thought, the little
guy answered, "I would send my sister!" Problem solved.
One of our 3-year old twin daughters was helping me fold the laundry. "Mommy," she said holding up my bra, "Here's your broccoli."
Our 4-year old twin daughter wasn't feeling that well on one school day, so she stayed home. At noon when we went to pick up her twin sister from school, she asked to wait in the car rather than battle the crowds of kids. We agreed as long as she stayed put. I bundled up Emily and was returning to the car some 5 minutes later, when a Mom told me with a smile on her face, "I just told Hollie to get off the roof and back into the car!"
At 4-years old, Hollie was very proud that she could recognize the flag and would joyously point out the "Kattie-9 flag."
Emily was 5 years old and had received a Barbie doll for her birthday complete with all the hair doodads, which had subsequently become lost. She asked me if I had seen them and I said, "Sorry, I don't play with your dolls and it is helpful to put things away so that you know where they are when you want them." She was quiet for a moment and then she asked, "Why don't you play? All you do is walk and talk and drink coffee!"
I was so fed up with messy rooms and sent each child to her room to clean and tidy. Checking up on Holly (aged 4), she quickly turned me around and pushed me towards the door, saying decisively, "You may not kiss me or hug me anymore. Find someone your own age to hug!"
Some things don't change --- Emily (at 24 years old) was headed back to University and as she was getting ready to leave the house, I found her with her head in the pantry and piled can on the freezer beside the pantry. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Groceries," she replied, grinning ear to ear.
At age 13, Emily asked me, "Mom, are you proud of me?" Trying to think quickly and wanting to handle this delicately as I felt she was feeling vulnerable, I asked, "Why do you ask?" "You need a reason?" she asked
