"Because I Said So!"
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By MAD21
I was reading Kristen's blog, We Are THAT Family, yesterday. She had a great post called, "Things I Say in a Day." In it she listed the funny "momisms" she finds herself saying to her kids. It was so fun reading her list, as well as all the comments she received, but all I could think of was Bill Cosby. He has a fabulous video called, "Bill Cosby Himself" that he filmed in 1983. It has always been one of my favorites because it's just so funny (and real). The majority of his material in his video is related to family, and even though I was only a teenager when I first saw it, it was still funny. But now, as a parent, it has taken on a whole new meaning and hilarity.
We used to make fun of all the things parents say to their kids... "Don't make me stop this car!" or "Because I said so!" to name two. But these kinds of things take on a life of their own when you become a parent. I just have to laugh sometimes when I hear myself saying things like this, because all I can hear is Cosby's voice in my head. There is a reason many of his skits are so hilarious. They are all TRUE!
If you live with little people in your house, there's no fighting it, at some point you cannot avoid saying the "momisms." It's like a right of passage. You can experience what it's like to have kids from a babysitter or ministry leader's standpoint, but until the children are your own, and you live with them 24/7... Well, let's just say the words just come flowing out on their own.
If you were to visit our home, the most common things you'd probably hear are:
"Whiny babies go to bed."
"Well, I didn't get the toys out either. Why should I have to put them away?"
"It's my job... because I am the Mom." (sister's trying to correct sister's behavior)
"Take a bite."
"Put your bottom on the chair."
"There is an actual person on the other end of the plastic thing next to my ear. I'm not playing house."
"Be quiet means, be quiet."
"Watch your attitude."
"No naked babies!" (They now run in towels after their baths.)
"Go to sleep."
"Stop putting your face on the cat."
It's either laugh... or cry. Personally, I choose to laugh (most of the time).
What are some things you find yourself saying? I'd love to hear it.
Family, Family Life, Fun, Kids in Kids & Family
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, I gotta say I've never had to tell my kids "stop putting your face on the cat." I don't think I need to tell my son "stop blowing raspberries at the dog" either. He learned his lesson when the dog returned the favor with a great big puppy kiss.
We tend ot threaten to kill out kids. Oddly this is typically when we are just playing around. "Come here so I can pop your cute little heard right off"
It is pretty funny that as a kid, I hated hearing, "Because I said so" the most. I thought, "do you not have a real reason and you're just being contrary?" Now, I GET it. Sometimes you hear 500 questions in the span of 10 minutes when you've asked your kids to put away their shoes and you want to lose it! I still try to answer with a reason as much as possible, but my most common response in my head is "because I said so." :)
My daughter gets to hear things like: "What do you get when you whine? Nothing!" "Don't let the dog lick your face - do you want dog butt on your face?" (because my dog likes to lick her nether regions) In response to any 'how long will it take' question - "5 days."
Wendy... that dog butt thing is just scary. I wish I read it tomorrow instead of today. Would make the beginning of Lent so much smoother...
Jason- I TOTALLY agree. We have always tried to explain thing to our girls. However, like you, when you go on for what seems like hours... you just gotta say it...
Wendy- Hahahaha! I say the same thing with the dog. It really grosses me out when people let their dogs like their faces. Ew!
Well of course I never said ANY of those things to my kids, well other than....nevermind, it was too long ago. But I do remember my dad saying to us "I'm going to stop this car RIGHT NOW" and my mom saying "Wait until your Dad gets home."
Candy, I haven't had to say the "wait until your dad gets home" ...yet. There is still time since my girls are so young. But not only have I threatened to stop the car, I have. And I got out and went to their door, opened it and had a "discussion" with them. I haven't had to do it again since. Hope I never have to do it again.