Monday, January 19, 2009

What Not To Do

Parenting is such a sweet challenge. I have my share of blessing being the father of 4 sons. I shall never complain...because...it's good. There are plenty of rules and regulations in place to keep some semblance of order in the house.

The boys earn 'time' that they can spend on the computer mainly by practicing their music or doing some sort of chore. We give them "Mum Bucks" that they collect and redeem here at home. It's their idea - and it seems to work fine.


Chris, my oldest boy at 13, is usually bankrupt. He's always out of "Mum Bucks"...so imagine my surprise to find him parked in front of the computer the other morning.

Me: "What are you doing on the computer?"

Chris: "You forgot to tell me what not to do."

That's rich eh? I forgot to tell him what not to do. I love how he shakes off the responsibility and throws it back on me as if it's my fault he's out of line. He's a smart cookie.

I laughed loud and hard.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ha ha HAAAAaaaaa! Maybe he's the one who's been giving Gabe lessons in rationalization and how to avoid the rules! That IS funny.

Anonymous said...

Whoops. That was last one was me.

Anonymous said...

that's great. my eight year old does the whole "when did you tell me that/ I didn't hear you. Are you sure you told me not to do that/to do that?"

Mel-2nd Chances said...

LOL, that's hilarious... i doubt I was that clever at that age...

Backofpack said...

Did I ever mention that around this house, 13 was the most challenging year with each boy? After that year, it was a breeze. I think their hormones went a little wild that year, then settled down. You'll do great (just have to do it four times!)

Run Mommy said...

Your post really made me giggle..I love your Mom Buck idea..I am definately going to try that!

Unknown said...

I need to borrow that "Mum Buck" idea. That's a good one!

Darrell said...

It's still kind of cute at 13. It looses something at 18 when the possibilities for "what not to do" have increased in number and depravity.

RunnerMom said...

Very smart kid.

Mum Bucks are a great idea.

I'm pretty sure my oldest is going to be very similar in about 5 more years...

Lily on the Road said...

Kids!!!

Donald said...

Funny. I always freeze in those moments when a kid is doing something wrong, but comes up with a great line. Sometimes that's even enough to bail them out of trouble.

Stacey said...

That's funny! Oh, to be a kid again and push off responsibility! ( : I like the Mum Buck idea! We'll have to try that. Have a great weekend.

Wes said...

I guess he showed some initiative by NOT DOING something :-) That's worth a bonus!!

Ryan said...

Lol very clever ahh kids you give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.

Scott McMurtrey said...

Very funny.

I Run for Fun said...

That's hilarious. He is smart!

Ginger Breadman said...

I know this wasn't a recent post, but I just read it tonight and it gave me a good laugh. Having four of my own running around here, and the oldest @ 13 - I can totally relate to the logic.

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