Sunday, August 17, 2008

I'm in Big Trouble, Young Lady

Just now, Jarrah was yowling like a tomcat while David was trying to brush her teeth. I filed this yowling in the periphery of my brain for five minutes or so, until it suddenly leaned over and shoved everything else--including my reading of blogs--aside and hunkered down in my cerebellum in a manner I could no longer ignore.

Sam: STOP THAT THIS MINUTE! DON'T MAKE ME COME IN THERE!

Jarrah: (tears, more yowling)

Sam: AND NO CRYING, EITHER! NOTHING THAT'S LOUD!

Jarrah: (appears in doorway, eyes brimming) Are you going to yell again?

Sam: (ashamed) No, and I'm sorry I yelled before. I shouldn't do that. But I really wish you would cooperate with Daddy about your teeth.

Jarrah: You better not yell or the policemans will come and get you. And then they will take you to prison. That means jail.

Sam: (darting eyes towards David in alarm) Wouldn't you miss me if the policeman came and got me? You better not tell him.

Jarrah: If the policeman comes, you better run, kay? Run really fast so he doesn't get you and take you to prison.

Sam: Okay. I'll run.

Jarrah: But policemans are nice. They take you home when you're lost. And that's good, right?

Sam: Right. That part is good.

7 comments:

The Wades said...

You're right--we're not all that different after all! :) I just like to look at it that I'm building their character--making them tough. Sad, I know. It just helps me make it through the days.

Caroline said...

Oh, adorable, funny, and heartbreaking. :) My boys love to tell me when I'm being naughty or not nice. But worse is when they come over when I've been yelling, give me a sweet kiss, and say, "Feel nicer now, Mama."

Melanie Sheridan said...

What is it with brushing teeth?! Mine hems and haws like I asked him to brush each one individually.

Laural Out Loud said...

My daughter is obsesses with police officers- whether they're good or bad, and what excactly they'll haul you off to jail for. I have no idea where all of her insecurities are coming from, but it makes for some interesting conversations in our house.

Jennifer said...

How cute! Seriously....where does she come up with this stuff at just three? She's a smarty!

Anonymous said...

my favorite part of this post is the title. :) lix

Anonymous said...

Ummm...brushing a toddler's teeth is like jail in a way! At least it is punishment. Not sure what for, though!

oxox,

Mary