When I was in second grade, I had a friend named Annie who made me hang up her coat every morning by threatening not to be my friend unless I did. Being the timid little doormat that I was at the time, I obliged her again and again.
Then one day I told my older brother and sister about it and they were pretty mad. My brother spent an hour coaching me on how to say, "That's okay, Annie, I don't need friends like you!" while flipping my hair and turning on my heel. My sister (an intimidating 5th grader at our elementary school) found Annie in the hallway the next day and threatened her to never boss her sister around again. Her little talk was effective and I never had to hang up Annie's coat again - although I missed out on the opportunity to use my well-rehearsed come-back.
Today I was able to channel this experience from 23 years ago into a teaching moment with my boys. I overheard Noah tell Sam to "pick that up or I won't be your friend anymore." Well, that's certainly not going to fly in this house so I sat Noah down and explained in no uncertain terms that we never boss people around and threaten friendship like that. I think it went well. Although he seemed a little bewildered at first when I burst into the room screaming, "Hang up your own damn coat, Annie!"**
Ahh, the circle of life.
**Postscript: Of course I did not actually say this to my child. I am told this point requires clarification.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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4 comments:
Seriously, funny. I am actually laughing out loud!
hee, hee. this reminds me of how, the other day, lexi wanted to wear a certain outfit that didn't match in the least. after trying to talk her out of it and she didn't budge, i found myself echoing my mother's voice by saying, "that's not what i would choose to wear, but if that's what you want to wear, you go right ahead. just remember that i said it doesn't match."
haha. i miss you aimers.
Ha ha!
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