Dino Manners

Always offer compassion and discretion

It's back to school time.  We know it here because it's also the time when lice rears its ugly head in the schools. We've escaped it the past few years.  This year - not so lucky.  We were met with support from each family that has had to go through washing the entire house, putting toys in quarantine and checking morning, noon and night for nits.

Teach your child to embrace "Plan B."

We had an unexpected weekend filled with Plan B's and sometimes C's, D's and E's.  At 3:30 Sunday morning we were awakened to our son sobbing that his lizards would die because the power went out.  Sure enough, the house was quiet and completely dark. Usually there are the random LED glows around the house from various equipment. Our trailer doesn't get this dark.

We assured him we would get the lizards warm.  Then my mind flew to thoughts of very cold tropical fish - the FISH TANK!  This is when Plan B went into action.

It's not polite to tootie on someone's lap.

The other night, our son was sitting on my lap. Suddenly he leaped from may lap and dashed out of the room.  A few seconds later, he came back and resumed his position on my lap.  Three minutes later he did it again.  Upon his return the second time I asked him what he was doing.  His reply was quite dryly and logically, "It's not polite to do stinky tooties on someone's lap."  Then he rolled his eyes with that "Duh, mom" look.

Then he realized that perhaps he needed to go relax in the bathroom for a while to get them all done.  As he headed to the bathroom, he was singing, "Here comes the bride, all dressed in white.  Where is the groom? In the bathroom..."

Coaster Courtesy

I'm not sure if this qualifies as manner, but it sure scores high in being considerate.  The children surprised me by cleaning out the living room after a big disaster swept through there during the day. It was spotless without a fight.  Their motivation: clean room means they can run and chase.

Our son noted I was drinking a glass of wine - or attempting to. I kept losing it in the house due to distractions, phone calls, etc.  He assessed, brought me a coaster and led me to the printer credenza, "Wine goes on a coaster because it's on wood instead of the kitchen table.  If it's out here you won't lose it and can run around with us more and not have to go far to finally finish your special glass of wine." 

That's one thoughtful four-year-old.  After about 2 hours, I finally finished the glass.  I needed it after spinning them around the room and chasing them in circles for about the same amount of time.  Also during an attempt to put laundry away they begged for me to fold the sheets in the living room since there was so much room - ulterior motives, yes.  They were inspired by Judy Schachner (Skipppyjohn Jones) and wanted to ..."blow through the sheets like the muddy wind."

We all slept well.

Slippery and Dangerous When Wet

"She's a pig!" screams the four-year-old after his sister finishes her shower and departs the steaming bathroom.  There is water on the floor, dirty clothes in a pile and toothpaste in the ink left over from an enthusiastic rinse.  He's not amused.