Nearing the end of a long car journey this afternoon...
Boy #1: Look, Boy #2, a crane! Can you see that? A crane!
Boy #2: Plane!
Boy #1: No, I said a crane. A crane! Over there - a crane!
Boy #2: Train!
Boy #1: Noooooo! Mama! Tell him - it's a crane! (Reaches over to give Boy #2's car seat an admonitary tap). Iiiiiiiiits a CRANE!
Me: Boy #1! No hitting. Not even chairs. If Boy #2 wants to say plane or train, he can. You know it's a crane, that's what's important. He'll get it eventually. Won't you, Boy #2?
Boy #2 (under his breath and grinning at me cheekily): Crane. (More loudly) Plane! Train! Plain! Train!
Give me strength...
I had forgotten, until reading your post,about the time I drove with my two to Scotland (and back) over the Easter holidays. (I think they were about 8 and 10 at the time.) I nearly killed the pair of them several times - had to screech to a halt, shout at them to stop fighting etc etc.. Ahh those memories! M:)
ReplyDeleteSweet PottyM, I'm beginning to wonder what does give you strength. now I don't want to go down the route of illegal substances, but you are posting up a STORM at the moment. I take my eye off the ball and there are about a hundred new posts! Boy#2 has his brother all worked out doesn't he?! (and good grasp of rhyming words, I might add)
ReplyDeletePigx
But what kind of a crane was it? A building crane or a flying crane? Inquiring minds want to now!
ReplyDeleteBlimey, you dish out phonics lessons as well as disciple while driving along. Is admonitory a word?
ReplyDeleteI usually make the mistake of pointing out something as it whizzes by the window. The relevant child looks in the wrong direction, misses the exciting thing, and then is cross at (a) not having seen it and (b) having been disturbed. I should try your techniques.
And you've been nominated for a serious-looking award.
That was "discipline" not "disciple", by the way, (although I like the idea of you dishing out disciples).
ReplyDeleteI wonder why it took me a 2,000 word rant to convey the same thing you said in 200. I should have just wrote "Give me strength" and left it at that. Nice.
ReplyDeleteJust in case you were wondering - that nom came from me...
ReplyDeletewhat can i add, except that this is sadly familiar. the black lamb moment i have never forgotten. i may need to go now and drown my sorrows.
ReplyDeleteHi there MPITW, no doubt I will have many more to add over the years! Hope I didn't take you back to too bad a place.
ReplyDeletePig, I'm not sure myself what keeps my going, unless it's a higly addictive cocktail of chocolate and diet coke. And yes - Boy #2 is fast learning to dish it out.
Hi Irene, I would love to say that my 4 year old son is so advanced he can spot and name a flying crane, but no. Think 'Bob the Builder'and you will have most of my boys interests all wrapped up.
Iota, not sure if admonitary is a world - but it sounds good, so why not? (English is a living language, m'lod). And the pattern of pointing things out usually follows your comment to the letter. Of course, the worst thing is when I turn round to point things out - and neither of them are in the car...
Thanks Carolyn. It's very unlike me to be brief. I mean, why use 200 words when 2000 will do? (Check my previous posts for evidence of that...)
Aims, I was wondering - and thankyou!
Grit, so sorry, I didn't mean to drive you to drink. Think of your happy place instead... Selfridges? Harvey Nicks? The food hall in M&S? (OK, it's just me that is that shallow, I know. And Dulwich Mum, of course...)
Oh, I hear you.
ReplyDeleteNominated?? Very deserved!
Isn't it amazing what they choose to fight about. I lived those moments. And I know there are many more to come.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing I am sitting down.
Thanks, Frog. Good to know I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteHi Ped, I know it - that there are more to come, I mean. And am battening down the hatches (i.e. laying in vast supplies of chocolate...)
I only have one child, so am lucky not to have to take on the role of referee (unless he's fighting with his father, which has been known.) My top tip is to turn up the music really loud - soon shuts 'em up.
ReplyDeleteMya x
Driving back into London via the M4, my lovely son always likes to look out for the Russian Church in Chiswick - or as he calls it "The tower with the blue cushion on the top" in between the "are we there yet"s - OHMYGOD! Parenting is rather stressful at times, pass the port...
ReplyDeleteHi Mya - I find it works best with 80's hits. Then you can shut them up and enjoy yourself at the same time.
ReplyDeleteDM, I know the very church. Boy #1 hasn't spotted yet it but I know it's just a question of time. Mind you, I am normally blissed out at that particular stretch of road, having just driven past the billboard for Abercrombie and Fitch... (lucky not to crash the car, really)