The Congdon Family

Sometimes situations arise that I just don't know how to handle. These are the times that as a mom of three small children, all I can do is laugh.

Every morning, I nurse Aubrey in my bedroom. Usually, I turn on cartoons for the other two to keep them occupied, but in an effort to reduce the amount of TV they watch, that time has been cut out. (By the way, if you call me in the morning and hear the Backyardigans on in the background, remind me of my resolve!) So, they don't have much to hold their attention and keep them in my room with me. I try to sing songs and tell stories, but after a few minutes, they usually find something else to do.

This morning, they were off playing "mighty knights" and I could hear Mighty Knight Jaden rescuing Princess Bayleesan from the castle. Everything was going well at first. Then I start hearing Mighty Knight Jaden screaming, "Bayleesan! NO!" So, I rush in to find Princess Bayleesan on the kitchen table, with all of the breakfast dishes that have not been cleared yet. She's sitting Indian style in the middle of the table shaking the (luckily childproof) bottle of Tony's antibiotics. I say in a somewhat shocked tone, "Baylee! What do you think you're doing?!" This in turn, shocks her, and causes her to kick over my cup of coffee that was only half finished. Coffee goes everywhere and in a panic, she scrambles to get off of the table, hoping I didn't notice.

I get the mess cleaned up and sit them both down to talk. First, Baylee admits that she shouldn't have been on the table, and apologizes. Then, on to Jaden. I say, "Jaden, what are you supposed to do if you see Baylee doing something that she might get hurt doing?" He says, in his most dramatic Knight voice, "I say, Bayleesan! Halt! At Once!" Then bursts into his version of his current favorite song, "We're Knights! That's Right!"

I believe that effective parenting requires the ability to instruct your children in a clear, calm manner. Half the time, I'm laughing too hard to even speak. The things that they come up with sometimes just amaze me. I did manage to let Jaden know that he needs to come and get me, not try and handle it himself. He agreed reluctantly. He is a Mighty Knight, after all...