The March Slice of Life Story Challenge
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Lions and Tigers
Four-year olds are masterful negotiators.
I don't want to go to bed.
I'm not hungry.
Why do I have to?
How come Audrey doesn't have to finish her dinner?
I'm not tired.
How come we have to go to the store?
No, I don't want to.
How many more bites do I have to eat?
I'm don't want to brush my teeth.
I'm tired.
I don't want to wake up.
Why?
This is my Lily. We call her Tiger Lily sometimes because she was born in the year of the Tiger. Well, Little Miss Tiger Lily is a queen of negotiating, especially to get out of things she doesn't want to do.
Lately, everything seems to be a negotiation with this preschooler of ours.
Dinnertime is a daily battle. If it were up to her, she would drink her calories in milk and not have to eat anything because it interferes with her playtime. However, when we finally clean the table and everything, she wants a snack.
Bedtime is an game each night of how many excuses can she come up with to not to go sleep. She needs to go the bathroom. She wants a hug. The blanket isn't folded right. She needs water. The heater isn't on. She can't find Flounder (her stuffed animal). Daddy didn't give her a hug and kiss. She needs help to put lotion on her eczema. The door is closed too tightly. She's out of water again. She wants another hug and kiss. And the list goes on and on and on...
Basically, the only downside of her becoming more verbal is that she uses those words... to complain, to whine, to talk back and negotiate EVERYTHING.
Sometimes when we catch her in a lie, I think she really believes that she didn't do anything wrong too. Like she isn't CURRENTLY in the act of doing whatever she's being accused of, so therefore she must not have done it. Maybe it's just how the 4-year old mind works.
Lily, did you take the toy from your sister?
No.
Lily, Daddy saw you take the toy from Audrey.
No, I didn't.
Lily, there's no lying in this house.
Daddy, there's no LIONS in this house! Silly Daddy!
I mean, how can you not laugh at that. It's pretty much impossible to keep a straight face when she comes back with lines like that.
Yes, Lily. There's no lions in this house, but we sure love our little tiger.
Posts
Your little Tiger is adorable. I love what she said about there being no LIONS in the house. She has a smile and a heart for adventure. And, you have your hands full. Full of love.
ReplyDeleteYour little Tiger is adorable. I love what she said about there being no LIONS in the house. She has a smile and a heart for adventure. And, you have your hands full. Full of love.
ReplyDeleteI loved your story! The picture is so perfect. I love that after all the negotiating she she is left to wonder why her parents are telling her there are no lions in the house! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I love the picture of your Lily and I am right with you. My Alex is 4 and recently started "fibbing" a bit so I told him the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. He was HORRIFIED and told me never tell him that story again! (I guess he prefers the stories with happier endings!) Everything seems to be a battle lately and I was just thinking to myself, is this a normal stage for 4 year olds? Feeling relieved that you are facing the same thing with Lily! Good luck! (We all need it).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I love the picture of your Lily and I am right with you. My Alex is 4 and recently started "fibbing" a bit so I told him the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. He was HORRIFIED and told me never tell him that story again! (I guess he prefers the stories with happier endings!) Everything seems to be a battle lately and I was just thinking to myself, is this a normal stage for 4 year olds? Feeling relieved that you are facing the same thing with Lily! Good luck! (We all need it).
ReplyDeleteThanks for a glimpse of what we have to look forward to ;) I'm going to have to practice keeping a straight face haha!
ReplyDeleteLily sounds like quite the spunky little gal! Maybe she'll be a lawyer when she grows up!
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH! Sounds like your 4 year-old Lily and my 4 year-old Isabelle are kindred spirits. We battle about eating and negotiate everything from how much more time she can have before she goes upstairs to who is going to help her brush her teeth. It's exhausting. That said, I relish these little battles since I'm sure bigger struggles await us as our four year-olds get older.
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