Back Talk

Me: Gabi, get off the table right now. Right now!

Gabi: Mommy, I'm only trying to GET MY SHOES. Now you listen to me and you SHUSH!

Me, in shock: Gabi, you can't talk to mommy that way! Don't say shush to me!

Gabi: But, mommy, you say it to me all the time!

She was genuinely confused as to why she couldn't say it back! I knew a quick talking to was in order, but had to do a very quick 180 turn so she couldn't see me laughing first. It was her scrunched up face and finger wagging that did me in. Because it was just how I do it.

After I had composed myself, I tried to explain that children aren't allowed to speak to their parents with THAT tone. That it was disrespectful, and blah blah blah. I could see the tears starting to well up in her eyes. When I asked her what was wrong, she started crying and said that it wasn't fair.

To a 3 year old, everything is about fairness. I could totally see her point. How do explain to a kid that it's okay for grown ups to say and do certain things, but not for them? I mean, that's the truth of it, so I have to find a way to explain so she understands. And I so obviously wasn't doing a very good job.

I'm going to have to start reading some books.