Say What?!

We have a problem with listening in our house. Let me just clarify something though, because, when I use the term 'we', I really mean Isaiah.

Yes, Isaiah has a problem with listening. Sometimes it's because he is so engrossed in what he's doing that he really doesn't hear us talking to him. In which case, I gently squeeze this area:



and he becomes focused, responsive and all is right with the world.

But there are also times when he just flat out disobeys, and it makes me want to pull my hair out. Take this example:

Two nights ago Isaiah asked if he and Caleb could play in the sprinklers. After turning them on, Adam looked at Isaiah and said, "don't turn the sprinklers on any higher because I don't want the water in the garage."

Okay, was his response.

He didn't really mean it though, because five minutes later we saw him run into the back yard, look at us and then proceed to turn up the sprinkler.

Believe me when I say that I have met my match with this kid

Adam and I looked at each other and then called Isaiah over to where we were sitting. And this is the conversation that took place:

Adam: Why did you turn up the water?
Isaiah: Because I wanted the sprinkler to be higher
Adam: Did I tell you not to turn up the sprinkler?
Isaiah: Well, yeah
Adam: So you disobeyed me?
Isaiah: Yeah. So can I go play in the sprinkler now?

Okay, so it's obvious that he still doesn't get it

Me: No, because there are consequences for your behavior.
Isaiah: Well, what is my consequence?
Me: That's just it, you get to decide what your consequence is.

Now, just so I can set the scene for you, at the same time we are having this conversation, I have a pan of brownies cooling in the kitchen that I told Isaiah we would have later. He is fully aware of this, and I can see the stress on his face as he tries to decide what his consequence should be...no sprinkler or no dessert.

And then, with his sad eyes and straight face he says:

"Can you just pull my underwear up?"

And I say, "you mean, like a wedgie?!"

And he just nods yes.

I am serious, I could not make this up if I wanted to.

Let me just say that we do not use wedgies as punishment in our house. Never have. Never will. I don't know what gave him the idea that that is an appropriate consequence, but you can imagine how hard it is to keep a straight, disciplinarian face when your child makes such a comment.

So there I sat, feeling strangely torn between two conflicting emotions; do I roll on the ground laughing or run and hide in my closet so no one knows how disturbed that whole conversation made me feel.

Instead I chose neutral ground. I went into the kitchen, ate three brownies with a scoop of ice cream, and again, all was right with the world.