Conversations

Conversations with a four year old are a bit like battling a wizard.

Exhausting.

Stretching the limits of your rational mind and capacity for logic.

Filled with tricky loopholes and dangerous surprises.

Oh, and exhausting.

"Why?"

The Big Boy and I, yesterday morning, circa 6:03am:

Him: "Mama?"

Me: "Yeah, Bud?"

Him: "Is today a gym day, or a school day?"

Me: "It's a gym day, Buddy"

Him: "Why?"

Me: "Because you don't have school today, it's Tuesday."

Him: "Why don't I have school today?"

Me: "Because the school is closed on Tuesday. You go Monday, Wednesday and Friday."

Him: "Why is school closed today?"
Me: "Because the everyone needs a break from each other."

Him: "Why do they need a break?"

Me: "I cannot possibly imagine."

Him: "Mama?"

Me: "Yeah, Bud?"

Him: "Is it Tuesday?"
Me: "Yep."
Him: "Why is it Tuesday?"

Go ahead gang, try to tackle that one: Why is it Tuesday? 

***

The Wee One, on the other hand, is the verbal equivalent of an octopus - trying to extricate yourself from a conversation with this kiddo is not easy.

"Mama?"

It is bedtime. I am standing at the door, attempting to close the door and escape to the couch and a hot cup of tea.
Him: "Mama!"
Me: "Yeah, bud?"
Pause
Me: "Goodnight, bud."
Him: "Mama!"
Me: "Yeah, bud?"
Pause.
Him: "Uuummm. Kin you..."
Pause.
Me: "Goodnight, Bud."
Him: "Mama!"
Me: "It's time for bed, buddy. Goodnight"
Him: "Mama! Kin you come here?"
Me: "No, Bud. You've had your stories, songs, and snuggles. It's time to put your head down and go to sleep."
Pause.
Him: "MAMA!"
Me: "What, buddy?"
Him: "Mama? But, can you come in here?"
Me: "No. Goodnight."
Him: "Ummmm. Mama?"
Me: "Goodnight."

***