How A Preschooler Solved the World’s Relationship Problems
My 3-year-old son Bode has the answer to every single person’s relationship drama.
Whenever someone (OK, mostly his sister Hadley) ticks him off, like clockwork Bode chimes in: “I don’t wike dat.”
Which, in Bode speak, loosely means “GET THE CRAP OUT OF MY FACE AND STOP BUGGING ME.”
I really didn’t think anything of it until my parent-teacher conference with his preschool teachers. They mentioned they have been instructing the children how to voice their discontent instead of just physically lashing out. They said Bode in particular is very good about telling people exactly what he is thinking.
Not surprising with a mother like me.
“I don’t like that” has become a staple of our everyday life. My children and I were recently in Canada for 12 days, during which time my husband Jamie had some difficulty getting along with our new kitty.
And remembering to feed him. Remy the Fat Cat came out of the whole experience a few pounds lighter.
The crux of the problem, however, is that Remy is a snuggler. Jamie does not like anyone touching him while he sleeps. And evidently my dear husband also doesn’t like getting jumped on in the middle of the night.
At least not by the cat. He has been begging me to do it for years.
Jamie told me one night he got so fed up with Remy that he wouldn’t allow him to sleep in the bedroom. When I told the kids this, you’d think I had told them Daddy had roasted the cat like a pig on a spit. Bode prayed for “Daddy to say sorry to Remy” and that night, Bode gave him a piece of his mind when they talked on the phone.
I heard Jamie defending himself, explaining that Remy wakes him up by jumping on him in the middle of the night. Bode thoughtfully listened and the tone of the conversation changed.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Bode?”
“Just tell Remy: ‘I DON’T WIKE DAT.’”
Dr. Phil in the making.
What a clever boy! Next time you’re in Canada pop on up here so he can teach my kiddos a thing or two, okay?
Good for Bode! Gregory has not yet mastered the art of spoken disagreement resolution.
I wike dis.
LOL. Yes, Bode could teach us all a thing or two.
Little boys are fabulous!
Thanks for the laugh! I think my husband would feel exactly the same about any cat we had or came in contact with.
Now, no cats or animals live in our house. Just rabid squirrels outside.
Rabid squirrels? How charming.
What a sweet boy! And what a great response – we can all learn something from our children!
Ha ha ha… too funny! And I did indeed “like that” story!
Amen. The kid is wise beyond his years.
And should you have said you “like dat” story?
Brothers who have certain sisters must develop the necessary skills.
Perhaps behind every good diplomat is a certain sister-type.
Don’t ask me how I know..
Dat’s gweat!
Why is it that, with your family, I suspect that a failure of proper response to “I don’t wike dat” could lead to evoking a nuclear option?
Amber, I am so going to remember that line and use it on Manny the cat!
I foresee Remy-the-cat needing years of Dr. Phil-like therapy due to being named for a rat…
My mom’s response to house pets that insist on seeking attention from them: “I’m not your friend.” It’s very diplomatic, but they usually respond by rubbing up against her more…
Oh, if only that worked with my big fat molester cat, who wants to sleep on my neck. But it is pretty sound advice.
I just lead a training on teaching social emotional skills to preschoolers all day today. Can I bring Bode next week for a demo? I think my staff will wike dat very much!
Your kids have inherited you wittyness Miss Amber!!!
I really wike Bode.
You always make me laugh with your one liners…like Jamie has been asking you to jump on him in the middle of the night for years. You slay me.
Well, I realize you probably weren’t joking about that but, still…I love your humor.