The kids & I were watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 last night (not Craig’s favorite show, he was in the next room trying to get something scanned onto my computer for me) and I heard a phrase that I thought I only I had ever used. For a matter of fact, I thought that I had coined the phrase (or at least it’s use in this specific type of situation). It was at a moment in the show when Jon & Kate could not get one if the kids to obey. Finally, while yelling & very much frustrated, Kate hollered “What language do I have to speak for you to hear me?”.
We all had a laugh at that moment (even Craig in the next room). This is a phrase I have used often over the years. Sometimes I have even followed up this phrase with something in the little Spanish I know (No, not Spanish curse words!). But over time I came to reason that even the moms in Mexico, or any other language-speaking country, are having the same trouble Kate & I are having at getting our kids to listen!
I love this show! It is not Mark’s favorite either : ) He says it stresses him out. One time he asked me if it was possible to naturally have 6 kids at once…. I told him I didn’t think so : )
I don’t use this phrase, but often wonder if Julia and Libby are understanding the words that are coming out of my mouth.
This very thing happened at the football game Friday night. Raymond was in his element down on the sidelines and I was in claustrophic-city – in the stands with all the other residents of Twin City. We were right on the 50 yard line and it was very tricky getting out of the stands. Libby wanted to go “see her daddy”. To which of course I said “no”. Very politely, might I add. I had my reasons, which I didn’t feel I had to share with her (I mean, they act like they are owed a 20 min. dialogue on EVERY decision – a result of too much Disney channel). Then commenced the whining. Of course, we’ve got church members all around us, which further irritates me – I ask her to be quiet – still the whining continues!!! Then I said the horrifying “shut your mouth/ stop making any noise whatsoever” and she kept whining!!!!!!!!!!!!! So yes, at that moment, I wondered to myself “what language am I speaking here??”
As an endnote to this whole situation – on Saturday I informed her that any further outright/direct disobedience on her part would result in a spanking – which I rarely do, but last night, about 30 minutes after that conversation, she held up her end of the deal, and I held up mine. Ouch. In the words of James Dobson, “If they’re looking for a fight, don’t disappoint them.”