>One More Reason Not to Argue in Front of Your Kids
>In one of those Moments of Mommy Guilt That I Will Revisit in My Mind for Years to Come™, I inexplicably opted to watch an episode of Twin Peaks last night without bringing the baby monitor to the TV room. It was only 45 minutes long, I reasoned, the kids had just gone to bed, and they almost never woke that early in the night. Of course, you know what’s coming next.
I came out of the playroom at the end of the program and immediately heard screaming. Bruiser was ugly crying in his crib, and he’d been at it so long that he’d set Punky off, too. I quickly made Bruiser a bottle of warm milk (after two sips, he passed back out) and we decided to let Punky sleep in our room after she told us between sobs that “In the dark, all the things in here look like monsters!”
We pulled together some blankets and pillows for her at the foot of our bed, tucked her in and kissed her goodnight. After a few (hundred thousand) whispered “Mommy?”s from Punky’s makeshift bed, she finally grew quiet, leaving Hubs and I to continue a (completely ridiculous) argument that had been flaring up all day.
“[Insert cliched argumentative insult of your choice here],” Hubs whispered angrily.
“[Insert immature response to cliched argumentative insult here]!” I fired back.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Punky called at our feet. “You need to go to bed! It is way past your bed time!”
We shut up. But Hubs couldn’t resist a parting shot.
“[Insert lame blanket statement that isn’t even true here],” he said quietly.
“Hey!” Punky shouted. “I said be! Quiet! You’re just wasting your time!”
Despite myself, I burst out laughing. How can anyone argue with a four-year-old around to mediate?
>I want to know what the blanket statement was.Because I bet it was true.:}
>Smart ass commenter #1 is cracking me up.My five year old daughter always says, “Mama! Be nice to Papa!” Even if he’s the one being a jerk.
>”Ugly crying.” You need to trademark that.
>Oh I have been there. And I am so sure blanket statement was so not true, even if backpacking dad said it was. I sound just like my kids.
>We all like to pretend we’d never argue in front of our kids but I suspect we all do it! Thanks for this!
>I just peed. Bacon yells at us to “Stop Arguing!” when we are talking loudly and excitedly about something. (Because he is watching a show too LOUDLY.) Never does he do it when we really argue though. It’s like he doesn’t understand what that is.
>When my daughter was about three she put me in time out for yelling at her brother. She pointed her finger at me and said: “Mommy! You yelled at Robey and scared him and made him cry and made me cry. Go to your room!” So I went to my room thinking: “Yes! I get nearly an hour to myself!” But a few minutes later she opened my door and shooed away her brother, who had followed her, sat down on my bed and lectured me for yelling.
>Punky’s comment was eerily a propos – I just wonder which of you – mom or dad? was wasting their time arguing with the other? Or did she mean wasting time that could be spent in precious sleep? LOL – she is a cutey!
>Haha! Clearly a brilliant child. Maybe we should listen to our kids more often, they seem to have great advice. What a great story, thanks for sharing!
>I think it all depends on what kind of blanket you are talking about.
>Conviction from the mouths of mere babes.And she was “right” to boot.Glad you got that one documented. It’s a story you’ll tell for years. Too cute.
>My worst moment was in the car when the kids were watching a movie and we were arguing in hushed tones. From the back we heard, “Mommy, what’s a jerk?” Oops.
>Well, Backpacking Dad, if memory serves me right, his blanket statement was, “You think all stay-at-home dads are emasculated, whiny bitches!” ;)Diane, Hubs started it. He starts all the arguments. It’s my blog and I’m sticking to it.Sorry for the sarcasm. I had a really bad day, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to hear about it…
>Lindsay, now I know you’re just making stuff up.1) I doubt you would have been talking about all of us hot sahds while in bed. That’s just too kinky.2) That’s actually not a blanket statement. It’s a singular statement about you, who, if he were quoting accurately, would indeed have made a blanket statement.But we are. Emasculated whiny bitches, that is.But we’re hot and we can cook and that goes a long way.
>Wise beyond her years!I hate when I really want to keep arguing (mature, I know), but something one of my kids does makes me/us laugh.
>Too Funny yet too true! I think you have a little mini-me in punky. She is you in the form of a 4yr old. Too cute!I agree w/the arguing thing it always makes me feel bad but why do men have to provoke us?
>Game, set, match: your 4 yr old arbitrator hath spoke 😉
>This is a cute story and reminded me of one that my friend once told me. Her and her husband were in bed and their four year old climbed in with them. They thought she was asleep and were having a little argument, thent their daughter said – My eyes are closed, but my ears are wide open!
>Hilarious! I cannot wait until my own little one starts talking. It sure will make life more interesting!
>During an “adult” argument I was told, “I don’t care who started it! I’m ending it!” by my youngest daughter.I love it when my words come back to haunt me. At least I know they are listening to me.
>Bwahahahaha!
>All I want to know is…. where are you finding episodes of Twin Peaks????? must! see!
>It’s out now on DVD! Get it while you can!
>This so could have been the same scenario at my house.