Now that we have a mobile baby, things have changed between Liam and Kieran. Kiri loves Liam dearly, and also loves to grab his toys. No babyish baby toys for this kid, no way! Liam loves his brother dearly, but does not love having his toys stolen. We’ve arranged some private areas where Liam can play alone, but sometimes he prefers to have company while he plays. If there’s only one parent home, then that parent is busy keeping the peace by keeping the baby distracted, and is thusly unavailable for any other purpose(s).
This situation, my friends, is what we call a “conundrum.” Witness:
Liam: “Mommy! Kieran’s got my trains! I need Baby Removal Services!”
Me: “Would you like me to help you carry your trains upstairs so you can play in peace?”
Liam: “No. That’s not a good choice since I don’t like to be lonely when I play trains.”
Feeling sorry for my poor lonely eldest child, I agree to function in the capacity of Director of Baby Removal and Distraction Services (BR&DS). Inevitably, though, something like a ringing phone or oven timer or doorbell will distract me. The wily baby, ever alert to dysfunction in the BR&DS, makes the most of the moment and busnaps Bertie. I distract Wily Baby with a safe-for-under-3 toy and then return Bertie to his rightful owner. Wily Baby, realizing he has been duped, shrieks in protest.
This situation has played out several times in succession with slight variations in stolen toys or intensity of offended screeches from either boy, when Liam yells.
Liam: “Mommy!!”
Me: “Kiddo, Kiri’s in here with me. Your toys are safe.”
Liam: “No, that’s not what I mean. I mean I have an idea to solve our Baby Distraction problems! You have to listen!”
Me: “OK, I’m all ears.”
Liam: “Well, actually, it’s really easy. I just need you to tuck Kiri back up into your tummy for a while. Then he can nap, and I can play with my toys. And you, um, um, you can play with me!”
Liam looks up at me expectantly, eyes gleaming with happiness and pride at his solution.
Me: “Well, honey, that’s not so easy…”
Liam: “But you gotta try, Mommy! It’s actually perfect if you would just try!”
Me (thinking to myself): “Hhhhhmmm, the baby would get a good nap for a change, Liam would be happy, and I could blog. It actually is a pretty good idea. Too bad it’s anatomically impossible…”
Me (what I actually say): “You know, honey, you have really creative ideas. I’ll think about how to get him in my tummy. In the meantime, let’s see if we can find a place for your trains in this room where Kiri can’t reach.”
I better stock up on a giant economy-size box of Extra-Strength Patience next time I go to Target. I think I’m going to need it…
An Idea
April 4, 2008 by lieslf
He’s one clever Liam, that one!
Too funny!
Heidi
Ha ha, I love it. Alas, my youngest is almost 5 and his older siblings still have this problem. I always push the “play by yourself in your room” solution too, but they never go for it.
Ah, too funny! At that age I was apparently trying to send my sister to the hospital for an appendectomy…
Very clever, Liam! Too funny!!
Hee, hee! He’s a smart little cookie. Babies are definitely MUCH easier to care for when they’re in tummies.
Too cute. If only it was that easy, there are days I wish I could tuck my 3.5 year old back in there for a moments peace.
gosh liesl, i *love* the way that you and liam communicate, i can feel your positive parenting vibes all the way down here X
[...] Crash, clang, sounds of minor scuffle, with train wheels squeaking and Weebles clacking into one another. Squealing from the baby as Liam retrieved yet another stolen train… [...]