Friday, September 7, 2007

Ain't too proud to beg

Children seem to have the gift of persistence -- especially when it potentially can get them what they want. They will beg, plead and beg some more -- trying to break down our resistance as parents. Some times we give in (well, at least I do) and sometimes we are pretty good about standing firm on our answer.

Carter's babysitter has 5 teeny tiny adorable kittens -- and Carter wants one in the worst way. It seems logical to us that the answer is no. I mean, he already has a cat that Santa caved in and gave him 3 years ago -- beautiful Sylvester. The way it is now, Carter often has to be reminded to feed her and has respectfully turned down the job of cleaning her litter box.

He's not seeing the logic in our answer and the begging and pleading have persisted all week. "Maybe we can bring one home and if it doesn't get along with Sylvester, we can return it," No, Carter. No way. I am not a cat person. Trust me, we are not relenting on this one.

It does remind me, though, of the one time (of course, there was only one time) I recall really begging in my childhood -- and it was a tag-team effort with my twin no less. The summer we turned 15, Raylene and I really wanted to go to the county fair with these Cushing boys -- Scott and Tom. Naturally, we were going to die if we couldn't go, BUT Mom and Dad said no "dating" until we turned 16.

It was at that same time that our parents took us on vacation -- a camping road trip up through northern Wisconsin and Minnesota and into Canada (just as far as Thunder Bay). Did you know it takes probably 5 hours to get from International Falls to Thunder Bay? Do you know how many times we asked: Can we go to the fair with them? Why can't we go to the fair with them? We'll be 16 next year! Can we go to the fair with them?

Ohmigod. How we came out of that trip unscathed is a miracle! How or why did our parents put up with us?! They never changed their mind either. They stood firm on their "no." I can't believe they didn't dump us on the side of the road to let us fend for ourselves in the Canadian Wilderness!

I'm ashamed to admit that in the end, with our sister Rachel as an accomplice, we did manage to sneak some time with those boys at the fair. (Don't you dare tell my mom!)

Carter will not have the same luck sneaking a kitty, though. After all, we didn't have to feed the boys or clean up after them ... that all comes later in life!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Oh, come on Robyn, please, please, please can't Carter have another Kitty??!! Please, it will be so cute and so much fun? Pretty please, with whipped cream on top and mint chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles?? HUh, Huh, Huh, pleasse-e-e-e-e-e-???

By the way, I bet those Cushing boys would have wished u 2 had begged one more time!!