…and other fervent beliefs of the five-year-old
Here are some excerpts of my conversations today:
Half way through Big Cook Little Cook
Me: oh – they’re making cheesecake!
Akra Jr: no they’re not.
Me: yes they are – that’s a biscuit base. For a cheesecake you have crumbled up biscuit at the bottom, then you spoon the cheese mixture on top.
Akra Jr: no you don’t. They’re making a strawberry clown.
Me: oh, they’re decorating a strawberry cheesecake to look like a clown.
Akra Jr: no they’re not.
While deciding what to make from his K’Nex instruction book
Akra Jr: Mummy, what’s that?
Me: it’s an elephant.
Akra Jr: no it isn’t.
Just after dinner
Me: time to tidy up all the jigsaws!
Akra Jr: no it isn’t.
Yes, it’s that delightful stage of arguing just for the sake of it. I’m currently resisting temptation to scream very loudly, run out of the room, pound up the stairs and pummel the life out of my pillows. Just.
You know, I think I preferred the “why” stage. Even though he didn’t really want to hear the answer, at least he didn’t disagree with it. Once upon a time, my opinion was respected, loved and sacrosanct (well, at least I told myself it was and Akra Jr didn’t disagree with me … then). My status as “know everything Mummy” has evaporated for good.
At the same time, I don’t feel I can tell him off for arguing. After all, I want him to grow up being able to think critically, not accept everything he’s told, not necessarily believe everything he hears … right?
But could he just think I’m wonderful for a few months longer? Please?
9 responses so far ↓
1 paula // 30th May 2006 at 9:27 pm
Oh thank you Pewari, I thought it was just me who had two little boys like that(aha you forget your L’il Bhaji will one day do this, I get both at the same time!)
It doesn’t matter what they ask, when I answer I get told the “No it isn’t it is…(insert their correct answer which usually isn’t.)” Sometimes I make up a completely ridiculous answer to see what they do…and they then and only then say the correct one. Is it something to do with being 4 1/2 makes one a know-it-all?
2 Pewari // 30th May 2006 at 9:29 pm
I have no idea, but pleeeeeeeeease…. make it stooooooooop….
(oh, and I haven’t forgotten that Li’l Bhaji will also do this one day – I’m just in denial)
3 Kaptain Kobold // 30th May 2006 at 10:09 pm
“Yes, it’s that delightful stage of arguing just for the sake of it.”
It lasts for *at least* the next five years. My son says ‘Yes, but …’ without even thinking now.
4 Crystal // 31st May 2006 at 5:51 am
I was surfing webrings, and came across your site. I love your writing style! Oh, and my 7-year-old is still in the “No, it isn’t.” stage. Aargh!
5 Purple Elephant // 31st May 2006 at 10:23 am
Ha! Ha! That’s weird, seconds before I read your post I had the following conversation with my daughter.
Her; ‘Why aren’t I going to school today.’
Me; ‘Because it’s the half term holiday.’
Her; ‘No it isn’t.’
My partucular favourite was the other day, we needed a loaf of bread so we had to walk over to the shop drowing in torrents of rain.
Me; ‘Put your hood up’
Her; ‘Why?’
Me; ‘Because it’s raining.’
Her; ‘No it isn’t.’
6 Pewari // 31st May 2006 at 8:33 pm
KK: you really know how to cheer me up, don’t you ;)
Crystal: hey, welcome :) Thanks for dropping by!
PE: lol… it’s uncanny.
7 Kaptain Kobold // 31st May 2006 at 9:50 pm
Wait until they are old enough to do the washing up/vacuuming/cooking. Then try and get them to do it …
Sell them. Now. Get a cat.
8 Pewari // 31st May 2006 at 9:55 pm
But but but … I’m allergic to cats ;)
9 Tami // 1st Jun 2006 at 2:19 pm
It’s unfortunate, but true: you will never be right about anything again (at least, not in your children’s eyes).
The views expressed in these comments are not the views of the publisher. However, we believe in the rights of others to express their legitimate views and concerns. Any legitimate complaint emailed to pewari@may.be will be seriously considered and the post reviewed as desirable and necessary.
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