The following is a real life conversation that happened on a carride one Sunday afternoon. I just had to share.
Annabelle: Britney! Britney!
[if you don't normally follow my blog, my daughter Annabelle has something of an obsession with listening to Britney Spears. After 2 years of listening to Britney belt it out, I am starting to lose it. My poor husband lost it long, long ago . . . due to Britney, of course].
Matt (my husband): Britney is sleeping. She had a late night.
Me: [I say nothing and try not to laugh.]
Annabelle: Okay . . . Britney!
Matt: We’re going to listen to something else today. Let’s listen to Mommy’s music. [He turns up the Sarah MacLachlan CD I had put in the player]
Annabelle: Me no talk. Me no talk. Hmph!
At first, we weren’t sure what Annabelle was trying to tell us, but then I realized that she was, at age 2, telling her mom and dad that she wasn’t going to talk to us if we didn’t listen to Britney Spears like she wanted us to. At this stage of her development, I understand that Annabelle is experiencing frustration and is challenged by having to do such things like share or take turns. Perhaps if we had phrased the conversation in terms of “taking turns” by listening to different music, other than Britney Spears, she might have understood and not felt so slighted by our decision to override her wishes. That said, is it somewhat forgiveable that the Britney-free carride was one of the more enjoyable rides in our car and that for the first time in months I didn’t feel like my ears were going to bleed? Oh, and she kept her promise. She wouldn’t speak to us for the rest of the ride home. Still, I suspect that tomorrow, our carrides will be Britney dominated . . . again.
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{ 6 comments }
Ha! Lindsey, I am in some disbelief that someone else is “long”ing for Britney. I, on the other hand, wish my little dance diva craved traditional preschooler tunes, like “old MacDonald.” Oh, and more often than not, Annabelle does give a yell, a holler, and an energetic and defiant performance that rivals whatever else it is that my husband and I are trying to listen to. So yea, my ears prefer Britney because at least with Britney singing, I can focus on the road and stay safe. This is not the case when Annabelle is protesting.
We are currently having this battle too, though I LONG for Britney Spears. If I wake up one more morning singing “Old MacDonald” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, I think I might lose it! And on top of that, when I turn it off, she will not give me the silent treatment. Instead, it is the scream at the top of your lungs treatment. So my choices right now are 1. annoying kids songs or 2. annoying kid screaming. Sigh…what can you do?
Yes, sometimes I see her ability to communicate with us as a mixed blessing, lol. And yes, I still try to get in a morning walk or get to the gym while Annabelle and her dad are still asleep. Additionally, I have been bringing her to the gym’s childcare and to my surprise, have noticed that she is beginning to enjoy being there, without her old mom. Still, she has her moments when she does not want to be away from mom or dad. I guess it depends on the day.
Lol, maybe it’s okay I have a slower talker than you. I can tell Mikey gets upset a lot more than he used to, but at least he hasn’t started ANNOUNCING we were getting the silent treatment!
Is Annabelle still letting you get to the gym?
Phew, do I know it. Today we saw her pediatrician and I asked whether Annabelle’s strong will was normal for her age. Not only did her doctor reassure me that her behavior and will were normal but that I should anticipate that my daughter will go far in life because of it. The bad news? In her words: “It is more challenging to parent kids who are determined.” Yup.
How funny! Thanks for sharing! Believe me, the battle of the wills is just only beginning! You just have to laugh sometimes!