Kids

I wonder what it feels like to a parent to ask their child or children to do something, and that child to respond: "Sure!" I really don't think that it is an unreasonable expectation for my kids to do as they are told.

Currently if I ask someone to do something it is like I feed them lead paint chips, or am asking them to go out and play in traffic. And I don't think that my expectations are that far off. Holly should really have started her thesis last month!

It is just that we seem to have the most willful, and detrimentally curious (I never thought I would say that, but seriously I'm not ready to teach them the orbital mechanics that account for why the moon tends to only come out at night) kids in the world. And it was a cute novelty when they were younger, and it was new, or when visiting relatives, and I just had to chuckle and say "Oh, those silly kids."

Did I mention willful yet? Ryan has been refusing to potty-train. He much more prefers the poop squishing in his diaper. He thinks that whenever something enters his mind, he can do or act on it immediately. I am aware that he is still just three, but it is totally uncalled for to cry for bread and butter 3 minutes (literally) before lunch is put on the table. He thinks that the second his eyes open (in the morning or after his "nap") he can just run right out of his room and have me and Michelle at his complete and utter disposal. If you think that I am exaggerating, think again. I'm more serious then Dr. Cox bringing his beer to the Baptism.

It is just that when confronted with a scenario like this, it seems to my fatherly eyes, there seems to be two options. Allow the behavior to continue, in effect sanctioning it. Or break the behavior. The problem is that breaking the behavior usually involves some tears, not all of whose are Ryan's.