Sometimes you gotta pull the mom card.
Like earlier.
When I was in the bathroom doing what one does in there. (Sorry for the visual.)
And one 8 year old daughter comes up banging on the door (of course), asking,
“Moooo-oom, can I watch SpongeBob on your compuuuuuuter?“
“No honey, not now.”
“Whyyyyyy?”
Now.
I could just say “because I said so.” Nothing wrong with that. But it sounds a little authoritarian, and I like giving my children reasons. I don’t want them to think that I arbitrarily say no.
I could list all the reasons. But that would be tiring, and an 8 year old doesn’t really care about my reasons. (I don’t want you to watch TV before schoolwork, I want to reserve that for later when I’m really tired and need some quiet, I don’t want you on the laptop without supervision, because you asked me while I was in the bathroom, etc.)
All good reasons, only I don’t have the energy to say all that. So I just say no.
“But whyyyyy?”
Sigh. It’s early, she hasn’t had breakfast yet, so I let this little bit of whiny slide.
And then I heard the following magic words come out of my lips:
“I have my reasons.”
Silence.
I hear feet pad down the hall, away from the bathroom door.
Apparently it’s enough for her that I *have* reasons. There’s no arguing or begging.
I have my reasons.
You can borrow it. I’m all about sharing like that.
Becca says
March 18, 2011 at 7:04 amSuch a cute post, Carrie. So good to hear from you. Sorry I haven’t gotten my report to you but I will, I haven’t forgotten. I actually haven’t finished your book yet. “I have my reasons.” Okay, I couldn’t resist. I do like this expression so well that I will use it with my kids the next time I am cornered. I was tired of my old standard anyways which was, “Because I said so and I’m the Mom, that’s why!”
A bit tyrannical, I know but it was the best I’ve come up with so far. It works with my husband, too!
Love, Becca