Night Nights

Every parent has "things" that are very important to them when raising a child. I mean every parent wants their child to eat right, be polite and honest. But some parents are more strict with their kids diet,for instance, while others not mentioning any names (cough, Kara and Court,cough) will let their children eat the occasional ice cream dinner. Everyone has their "things". One "thing" of Court and I, is honesty. That means no little right lies, no exaggeration of the truth with our kids, no telling our children something or someone exist when they don't.

But even the strongest convictions can get a little tangled up in real life.

It started out innocently enough. We went to the MSPCA (animal shelter) one Saturday to look at the animals. They have tons of animals here: horses, goats, chickens but the big draw for our son Gibson was the chance to see the puppies.When we got there we discovered it did not open for another 45 minutes. That would not do, so we decided to leave and come back another day. I told Gibson we would see the puppies later, but his little head could not wrap around this idea. He was so looking forward to seeing those puppies. I couldn't take that sad look in his eyes, so I said something I knew he would understand.

"Puppies are sleeping, Gibson."

"Oh puppies night night?"

"Yes"

He got into the car with no fuss and I congratulated myself for quick thinking. Until I saw Court's face.

"The puppies aren't sleeping, honey. You lied to him."

"I bet some are." I defended weakly.

No response, he just gave me the "look".

"Ok, you're right Court, I will watch what I say, but honestly he won't remember me saying that."

I was wrong. In the history of time no little boy remembered what is mother had told him so vividly as my son remembered "puppies sleeping." For the next week he was obsessed with saying: "Mommy said puppy night night." He told every he saw, strangers, friends, everyone. And not just once, he would repeat it over and over. Like a little kick in my stomach every time he said those words.

So since then I have been very careful to make sure my words are honest. Until that is he became obsessed with a certain TV show, "The Wiggles". I never thought I had a problem with the wiggles. I thought their music was fun, kids seemed to really enjoy it. I never understood why some parents didn't like them. My question was answered when I actually watched a show. Oh my. I couldn't make it through an episode. There was something about it that made watching Barney actually a better choice, not much better, but still better.

So when he asked to watch the same episode for the 13th time I said no. He looked perplexed. His little face scrunched up like he was really trying to understand why he couldn't watch his beloved show. Then he brightened, like he had it figured out.

"Oh Wiggles night night?"

I should of said no. I should have just explained that we were just going to watch another show, that mommy didn't want to watch the wiggles. I should have told him mommy would rather go the dentist, chew off her own hand, then watch the wiggles. I should have....but...

"Yes."

Oh boy. In my defense, the Wiggles are from Australia, so most likely they were sleeping. I mean there is a whole time difference thing and all.

I know, it sounded weak to me too.