Let’s Play Find The Poop
I play all sorts of silly games with the kids to help make mundane tasks seem fun. Pretending we are cranes to pick up toys, etc. I bet every parent dabbles at least a little bit with this sort of psychological manipulation with hopes they will be the gold star parents to have a teenager who actually likes to help around the house. (wishful thinking I know!)
It is so second nature, I can make just about any activity a game, in hopes it will brighten my Associates’ spirits and increase cooperation. Sometimes, like today, we do this to lift MY spirits and remind me not to get upset about the silly stuff kids do. Let me reenact a scene from earlier today for you:
Scene One: Picture a happy bath time, cleaning up after a fun morning at the beach and lunch. Two toddlers splashing without a care in the world.
Mommy: It’s time to get out! Who wants to go first?
Associate P: Associate A, Associate A. I get two more minutes.
Mommy Scoops up Associate A, who wiggles and giggles while being patted dry. He waddles off, presumably to find his lovie and paci, while mommy scoops up Associate P. Once dry he scampers into his room, and I follow, expecting to see two perfectly clean toddlers naked and ready for clean comfy clothes before nap.
Mommy: Holy $#!*.
Associate A is standing next to his brother and his entire bottom and legs are covered in Poop. Mommy scoops up the soiled child and takes him back to the tub, watching where she steps along the way. Associate P follows behind.
Associate P: A poopied mommy! He did it! Did he go poopie in the potty?! Where did he do it mommy? Where?
Mommy: ( trying not to cry while doing unthinkable things with my bare hands and warm water.) I don’t know hunny. I don’t know where he went poopie! Please just sit right there until I get your brother…
Associate P: (interrupting excitedly) Let’s play find the poopie mommy! Poopie where are you? Poopie Where are you?!” (running off… brief silence….) Oh, here it is Mommy! I win. I found the Poopie!
END SCENE
Needless to say, this has never happened to me before, and it is a lesson I don’t need to be taught twice. From now on Associate A will be placed directly in a diaper after bath… no more streaking for him. I really had to laugh and thank God that everyone was in such a great mood. Perhaps Associate P saw that I was about to loose it and was emotionally advanced enough to recognize he had to act fast and make it a game. More likely, he was just imitating what he hears me do, which is find the fun in absolutely everything. Especially when dealing with poopie situations.
EVPHO 