The Jobe Journal

A funny…

Yesterday, Esther accompanied Anna and me to town for one of Anna’s dance classes. Shortly after dropping Anna off, we approached McDonald’s. Esther asked sweetly, “Mommy, how about if you and I get a little treat.”  I responded, “Not today Esther, we need to get home.”

A few stoplights later, Esther tried again with a “good for us” tactic. “Mommy, mommy… Sweet Frog! Frozen yogurt is healthy. We should do that instead!” Again, I denied her request.

One stoplight later, as we approached the last “treat spot” before the stretch of highway leading home, Esther says, “Chick-fil-A! It’s my favorite. Chick-fil-A ice cream isn’t expensive. Please, Mommy?” I responded just a little more firmly, “Esther, we are not getting ice cream. We need to get home.”

Esther, a little exasperated but as persistant as ever and with a “let’s-end-this-now” tone responded, “Mommy. I do NOT want to fight with you about this, OK???? I just want some ice cream.”

It was the tone I use and the exact words I use when requesting my children do something they don’t want to do. I know she has heard, “Esther, I do not want to fight with you. Pick up your toys and put them away (and then there is usually a warning of consequence.) I need you to obey.”

Now, for the record Esther did not get her ice cream. She also was reprimanded for her tone and given a little “respect” talk.

But I am still chuckling. You can’t blame her for trying

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 at 7:46 am and is filed under Children, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.