Monday, January 14, 2008

The Tiny Fist of Iron

Jack's bedtime routine has evolved recently, and he now demands that his evening ends with a story followed by the songs "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Silent Night" (which he refers to as "the commercial song", thanks to a Christmas ad from pampers that showed sleeping babies while a woman's voice sang the carol).

Silent Night is my song, and apparently I am the only one qualified to sing it to him properly.

Itsy Spider, on the other hand, is subject to the whims of a moody four-year-old exploring the rules of command and control. I am expected - nay, commanded - to perform the hand motions, but whether or not I sing along depends on the particular evening.

Tonight, as Jack lay snuggled next to me in his bed, I put my hands into the Official Spider Position and sang the opening bars of the ditty.

"NO, Mom! You're not allowed to sing except on Mondays...."

(pause)

"Mom? What day is it today?"

"It's Monday."

"Oh. I said you're only allowed to sing Itsy Spider on Fridays. You just do the hands part. And then you can sing the commercial song."

"Uh... Huh. Okay."

He's lucky he's cute, y'all. That's all I'm saying.

2 comments:

danny said...

I'm so glad to hear that my kids not the only one who has these unpredictable mood swings and arbitrary rules.

Kerry McKibbins said...

Hello!?! I have an 11 year old. He's all about rules too....as long as they benefit HIM!