When “No” Means “Green Eggs and Ham” – by Cara

Exactly one year ago, I published my first blog EVER! It was for Motherhood Later Than Sooner. It, by far, has been the MOST creative blog I’ve ever written, so I decided to celebrate my year anniversary of blogging by running it again! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy blogging! And I aspire to be more creative with my blogging as time passes!

What is it about certain six year old boys needing to “test” their mothers, in every possible way imaginable. Lately, my six year old son has his own views about what the word “no” actually means.

Take, for instance, this senerio: My son’s friend had a death in the family this past week, making their usual Thursday afternoon playdate impossible to have.

Me: “Honey, Benjamin’s family is very busy today so we can’t see him this afternoon.”
My Son: “Well, how about later?”
Me: “No, Honey. Benjamin’s family needs to be alone today so we are not having the playdate.”
My Son: “But Benjamin’s not busy.”
Me: (Getting irritated) “We are still not having the playdate. End of story.”
My Son: “What if you call Benjamin’s Mom?”
Me: “I said, “no!” “I am not calling Benjamin’s Mom”…(“Sam I Am!”), “We’re not having a playdate!”…(“Green Eggs and Ham!)
My Son: “Well, what about 5 o’clock? You can call Benjamin’s Mom then.”
Me: (Now irritated AND getting sarcastic), “What part of the word “no” don’t you understand?”…(“I will not call at 5 o’clock! I will not do it! I just will not!)
My son: “Maybe we can walk over to Benjamin’s house and see if he can play?
Me: (Steam now emitting from my ears), “PLEASE tell me what you don’t understand about “no!!” I really want to know what there is about “no” that doesn’t make sense to you!!…(“I WILL NOT KNOCK, Sam I Am, I WILL NOT KNOCK, Green Eggs and Ham! I do not want to call or write! There is no playdate, THAT IS RIGHT!!)
My son: “Well, maybe we could meet him in the park?
Me: (Glaring and taking deep breaths while thinking…”I will not meet him in the park, I will not meet him in the dark…I will not call his Mom, oh no, I will not knock on doors and oh…WE WILL NOT MEET HIM, LITTLE MAN, NOW GET YOUR BOOK, ‘GREEN EGGS AND HAM’!!!”)
My son: “Could you pick Benjamin up and bring him to our house?”
Me: (Almost ready to blow, “I will not, WILL NOT, let you play! Why must you ask me every way? I will not pick up Ben to play, I will not go to the park today! I will not call his Mom or knock! I will not do it at 5 o’clock! We will not have a playdate today! NOW WHY CAN’T YOU LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY??!!)
Me: “I’m done with this conversation. Now go read your book”.