Right back at you, Mummy

As Big Brother's language skills develop I am constantly entertained and amazed by his memory, and ability to recall and accurately use something I said ages ago. Under my breath.

Yesterday in the supermarket, as we passed the packets and packets of chips BB predictably asked 'Have some chippies Mummy?'. I predictably replied 'No!'.
'Don't say No to me, Mummy' he came out with, 'I'll put you in time out'.

There you have it, then. Daddy has been put in Time Out. He gets a bit boisterous while wrestling with his boys and gives them a little bite. He gets in big trouble from Mummy who is working hard to enforce the no-bite household rule, but in even bigger trouble from Big Brother. Off to Time Out Daddy goes. Its a long time to sit under the kitchen bench and think about what you've done wrong, for 38 minutes.

I am trying to watch what I say, and I wish I could go back in time and correct a few gaffs from the past. Driving down the waterfront a while ago BB exclaimed '(F-word) - a boat !'. I cringed and didn't react by swerving off the road into the sea wall. Hopefully he will forget that one. I am only human, and when things go wrong can string a reel of nasty-isms up there with the most profane (not in front of my children 99% of the time). Growing up on a sheep farm we had different rules for language acceptable inside the garden gate, compared to outside the gate on the farm working the useless bleep bleep bleep sheep dogs.

I am also trying to be aware of the tone of my voice. When stressed it's easy to get harsh, demanding and bolshy. Finger waggling is actually, when you think about it, quite intimidating, and so easy to do in the heat of the moment. I am reminded of this when I hear BB speaking to his brother, or growling to his toys as he disciplines them - 'Stay in Time Out, 2 minutes, NAUGHTY' .

It's all a bit hard really. But I try to congratulate myself on the successes - him saying 'Tankoo' without prompting, when he says 'Sorry' when he burps, or accidentally spills his milk at the table. I know that I have done OK when I hear him say 'Gosh!' and 'Shivers!'. What you put out there, certainly comes back.