I'm titling this blog Parenting 101 because I'm sure every parent out there has had a similar experience with their own brood.
While the term subtext might be more of a 'writerly' type of word, most people use it in their everyday encounters . . . they just don't realize that they are using it.
For example:
This bit of conversation went down in our house after church and brunch just this last Sunday . . .
Dad: "R you might want to make your bed."
Kidlet: "Okay." As she plots down on the sofa to play games on her phone.
Mom (Me): "You might want to go upstairs and make your bed now."
Kidlet: "Why?"
Me: "Your dad just told you to."
Kidlet: "No, he didn't."
Me: "Yes, he did. It's in the subtext. He wasn't mildly suggesting that you should eventually make your bed. He was inferring that you get your behind upstairs and make it NOW."
Kidlet: "Oh." She puts her phone up and goes upstairs.
Of course, when I was taking the laundry upstairs to fold, I discovered the kidlet lying in bed . . .
You may insert your own typical conversation with your own child at this point of the story.
So, the next time you eavesdrop on a conversation observe the way words are said and the body language of the people involved.
It provides great amusement while you are waiting in line at the grocery store or the DMV.
Later, Peeps!
Showing posts with label Parenting 101. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting 101. Show all posts
5/16/13
Parenting 101 -- Coffee drinking or NOT
Yesterday, my kidlet wanted to drink a cup of coffee. She's 12 and has been fighting allergies. I suggested taking a Claritin instead. She refused.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you said the coconut one tasted good."
Like that's a good reason to start drinking coffee. I do prefer the Donut Shop Coconut Mocha one over the Emeril's Jamaica Me Crazy, but the only reason she wants to try coffee is because some of the kids at school go to Starbucks on a daily basis. Their frappa-lappa-dingdong drinks aren't COFFEE no matter how you brew it.
"Fine, but if you don't like it give it to me and I'll drink it."
The coffee brews in the Keurig. I add sweetener AND cream to it.
"It's too hot." so she puts it in the freezer.
"Why don't you put an ice cube in it?"
She does . . . along with another large spoonful of sweetener.
"Why are you adding more sweetener?"
"Because it's bitter."
"But that's what real coffee tastes like. It has a bitterness to it that hits the back of your tongue. It's an acquired taste, like drinking beer."
Not that I want her to drink beer, but it took me a long time to a) enjoy the taste of coffee, b) enjoy the taste of beer--the real stuff, not the 3.2 water they call beer in this state.
"So you don't like it?"
She shakes her head and hands me the cup. By this time the swill is cold, overly sweetened and simply not worth drinking.
"Pour it down the drain. It's ruined. By the way you owe me a dollar for that K-cup you wasted."
She rummages around in my 'everything' drawer and hands me four quarters--of my money, mind you!
"Here."
I sigh . . . deeply. "Just put it back and we'll call it even."
"But it won't be a deal until you take it from me and then give it back to me to put it in the drawer."
"Fine." I took the money and gave it back to here.
"Can I make a hot cocoa now?"
"Sure."
The lesson learned here is that the kidlet won't be drinking coffee any time soon.
:-) Ain't it fun being a parent?
Later, Peeps!
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you said the coconut one tasted good."
Like that's a good reason to start drinking coffee. I do prefer the Donut Shop Coconut Mocha one over the Emeril's Jamaica Me Crazy, but the only reason she wants to try coffee is because some of the kids at school go to Starbucks on a daily basis. Their frappa-lappa-dingdong drinks aren't COFFEE no matter how you brew it.
"Fine, but if you don't like it give it to me and I'll drink it."
The coffee brews in the Keurig. I add sweetener AND cream to it.
"It's too hot." so she puts it in the freezer.
"Why don't you put an ice cube in it?"
She does . . . along with another large spoonful of sweetener.
"Why are you adding more sweetener?"
"Because it's bitter."
"But that's what real coffee tastes like. It has a bitterness to it that hits the back of your tongue. It's an acquired taste, like drinking beer."
Not that I want her to drink beer, but it took me a long time to a) enjoy the taste of coffee, b) enjoy the taste of beer--the real stuff, not the 3.2 water they call beer in this state.
"So you don't like it?"
She shakes her head and hands me the cup. By this time the swill is cold, overly sweetened and simply not worth drinking.
"Pour it down the drain. It's ruined. By the way you owe me a dollar for that K-cup you wasted."
She rummages around in my 'everything' drawer and hands me four quarters--of my money, mind you!
"Here."
I sigh . . . deeply. "Just put it back and we'll call it even."
"But it won't be a deal until you take it from me and then give it back to me to put it in the drawer."
"Fine." I took the money and gave it back to here.
"Can I make a hot cocoa now?"
"Sure."
The lesson learned here is that the kidlet won't be drinking coffee any time soon.
:-) Ain't it fun being a parent?
Later, Peeps!
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