Wednesday, October 15, 2008

When the Quarterback Throws to the Third Baseman

The Matron and her husband are a team.

They learned this early on, in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) parenting classes. Always agree. Be on the same page. Subject thee not, to Manipulation.

Now, they liked that. Unified front, clear rules for children and all.

But more than that, they liked the idea of being a Team. Supporting each other--sort of akin to the 'in sickness and health' sort of stuff. Sometimes (she admits) after a day of Snipe and Accusation, they clutched one another, bewildered, in the kitchen and reminded themselves: We Are The Team.

So Merrick is all about this.

"Mom!! Can I have candy right now?

Matron: "No, not until after dinner."

So young lad scuttles to another room and, he hopes, to a weaker heart.

"Daddy? Can I have a Tootsie roll?"

John: "What did Mama say?"

Merrick: "Not till the dinner."

John: "That's what I say. We're on the same team."

OR


Merrick: "Mama, can I stay up aftew Swyker?"

Matron: "What did Daddy say?"

Merrick: "No."

Matron: "That's what I say. We're on the same team."

Imagine the above, rewinding for poor Merrick's ENTIRE LIFE TIME.

Tonight, Merrick queried both parents about Chex Snack Mix before dinner, several times. The Team replied in unison: No.

Finally, after bumping his head against this roadblock for --oh, 5 years, --- Merick fell to his knees and screamed: " I HATE THE TEAM!!!!!"

And then stood up. "But can I be on it?"

11 comments:

smalltownme said...

A new spin from Merrick. Clever boy.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Take him--then you'll outnumber Stryker and Scarlett.

Anonymous said...

lol, brilliant. Another world leader emerges from the Matron and Jeff's nest.

Nora said...

Ha! I love the team! A strategic operator, that boy.

Lynda said...

That is just plain adorable!

Irene said...

I think you should let him on the team, he'll become sensible too and you'll still outnumber him. He'll get outvoted every time.

Anonymous said...

HA! I love that he hates the team. Too funny.

Way to stay united:)

Heather said...

Too funny. He's got the angles figured out doesn't he?

Anonymous said...

Long live the team!

As far as I'm concerned, the team is part of the foundation of any marriage.

shrink on the couch said...

I just love the raw honesty of little kids. And aren't we all hoping our kids will want to be on our team?

Magpie said...

We have teams in our house too. But sometimes Mommy and Daddy are not on the same team and the small child DOES get snacks before dinner, grr...