There is something that clicks in a little boy’s brain when Mom says “I don’t think you can do that.” That comment is an affront to their maleness. They do not hear the comment as it came out of Mom’s mouth. Instead, their ears pick up the message that they aren’t tough enough to do this task Mom has asked of them.
The gauntlet has been thrown. The lines have been drawn. Egos have swelled to ten times their original size and it is now time to show Mom just how manly they truly are.
I was folding wash and had four nice, neat, LARGE stacks for each of the older children. They were so large I didn’t want to put them in their usual spot on each child’s individual steps heading upstairs. I was afraid they might topple off and then all my efforts spent folding the clothes would be wasted.
So I left them on my bed and called the children to come put them away. I also said this: “I don’t think you can take it in one trip. You might have to do it in two.”
That was my fatal mistake.
Each boy’s chest puffed out while they swaggered in to take their pile in one trip only. They assured me it was no problem at all whatsoever. I could almost audibly hear that male ego shouting “why must females always doubt our manly capabilities?!”
Terrel, our vivacious, doesn’t-think-until-he’s-in-the-thick-of-it, 8 year old, took the award for Man of the Year. His pile not only got taken in one final swoop up the stairs, but his was carried with only one arm, not two. This one arm had to have been stretched to the max to reach around that huge pile of folded laundry so that the other one could swing free.
Whistling, he turned to head upstairs, but not before he peeked back to see if Mom had noticed his daring feat.
His look said it all. See, Mom, not only did I take this in one trip, but with only one arm! Never doubt my manliness again. And he disappeared around the corner.
I now have a healthy respect for little boy egos. And big ones.
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Janet says
Oh I love it!!!! I can just see him, lol.
Janet says
Wow, that came out all weird 🙁 It’s suppose to say, “oh I love it!!! I can just see him, lol.” Hmmm…. ok, maybe it didn’t type out wrong after all. Must be the font cause my exclamation marks look like a bunch of ‘l’.
Kendra Graber says
Yes, this font might have to be changed. I’ve noticed that exclamation marks look funny.
The 4 Muskateers says
o i love it….
Jeanie Weaver says
Ha Ha! That’s just halarious! I know exactly what you’re talking about. 🙂 There’s some helpful tricks you learn along the way after teaching school for 3 1/2 years. You can talk them right into stuff by telling them it’s a challenge and you’re just not sure if they can do this one. =) (Daryn says i mess with their minds) But it works, and they feel amazing and i’m happy!