HomeFull Moons and Safety Glass
Full Moons and Safety Glass
Balancing money, time, self, and family
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Jedi Mind Tricks
This weekend I came to a realization.
My four-year-old is a Jedi master. Not a Jedi-in-training. Not a Jedi-with-Darkside-tendencies who falls of the wagon. Nope. She is an honest-to-goodness Jedi master. Here’s how I know… On Sunday, after I had endured two weeks of Mommy guilt, exacerbated by multiple trips away from home, sleep deprivation, and general crankiness, I decided that I would spend Quality Time with the girls. I awoke early, requested their presence during muffin making (only Carmen complied, Ava was engrossed in Sponge Bob), orchestrated an all-inclusive water colors painting session, and announced that after nap, the three of us would be taking a trip to ride ponies. So, after nap, I gathered them up, emailed a friend and her daughter an invite to join us, and out the door we went. Leaving my husband napping behind us. Once in the car, it started. The it, here, being the Jedi mind tricks. Now, I have known for at least 18 months that Ava is smarter than me. I have admitted defeat and accepted my situation. I just didn’t realize how deliberately she could apply this intelligence, focus, and powerful persuasion. Upon my morning suggestion of pony rides, she began her master plan of manipulation. In the car ride, she began to lay the ground work. Ava: Mommy, are we going to the pony rides? Me: Yes, honey. Ava: The pony rides over by Funderland? Me: Yes, honey. Ava: I like pony rides. Will Carmen ride her own pony or will she ride with me? (I realized later this question was intended to distract me from her plan) Me: She will ride her own pony. Ava: OK. Pony rides are fun but they are kinda short. Are we going to Funderland afterward to ride the dragon roller coaster? Me: No, honey. Ava: Well, we really should. It doesn’t make sense to drive all this way and not go to Funderland. For the next hour she wove suggestions of Funderland in and out of conversation. Not in a deliberate, overt way…but just enough to remind my subconscious that Funderland was the real purpose of the trip to Land Park. Funderland was the ultimate destination. Funderland was the Death Star. Ultimately, I was powerless against her focused use of logic, intelligence, and persuasion. Funderland and the dragon roller coaster were in her sights and she wasn’t going to let go. For the record, though, she never did get the cotton candy she wanted. 4 comments from 4 users
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posted by
creatress
on Sep 17, 2008 at 09:04 AM
posted by
wifemotherdaughtersister
on Sep 17, 2008 at 08:30 PM
consider the alternative:MOMMY I WANT TO GO TO FUNDERLAND!!! maybe another day my little angel, today we are going to ride ponies NOOOOOOOO!!!!! PONIES STINK AND ARE UGLY!!! I WANT FUNDERLAAAAAAANNNNDDDD!!!!( starts cry/whining and kicking the back of your seat) (now both kids are fighting) mommy just hopes that where ever we end up, they serve beer and/or wine. posted by
hmoeckli
on Sep 18, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Yeah, Ava is smarter than me too. While you weren't listening, she told me, "Hillary, we are going to Funderland after we ride the ponies. Would you like to come with us?" I made some non-committal type of sound, but I think I gave her fuel for her fire. Sorry. We did have a great time though! :) posted by
kellimwheeler
on Sep 23, 2008 at 10:48 AM
All I can say is May the Force Be With You. You're gonna need it.
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Oh wow, if she and man-cub every marry, we're in trouble. He's ALWAYS been that way. I used to call him "little Spock." He'd rationalize up and down why his way is the best and how reasonable what he needed was till I saw the light (or was mind-tricked into it.)
GREAT blog (as always.) It sounds like a wonderful weekend. Was hubby grateful for the alone/nap time? I hope so. He owes you one ya uber mama!