Gruntski

they can defeat you with logic. And arguments you have used on them in the past.

Tonight is one of three nights a week when I get to talk to my children on the phone. Talking to Anthony (3 and bit years old) is sometimes trying, as he can’t seem to put into words what he did during the day, and there is always something to distract his attention. And I don’t believe in placing children in solitary confinement just to talk to me.

 Natasza (7 and a half years old) is quite the conversationalist, and most of the time I can have a quite mature conversation with her.

 Tonight I had finished talking with Anthony (who’s only piece of information that was volunteered was that another kid in childcare had hit him with a train- the rest of the conversation consisted of “yeah”, “I dunno” and “loveyoubye”), and had spent about 45 seconds talking to Natasza when she said “‘Dancing with The Stars’ is back on.”

In my manipulative Daddy’s way, I said “So, that’s more important than talking with me, is it..?”

“Well, Daddy, this is the GRAND FINAL, and I can talk with you any time!!!”

What could I say? I could hear the ex in the background saying, “You are supposed to be talking to your father, now, not watching the TV”, and I said that Natasza’s little statement was quite right.

After all, it’s the kind of statement that I make when I want her to do something….”you can watch that DVD anytime, but I need you to brush your teeth NOW!”