Before my daughter came along I used to drive to work with the music on and just enjoy the me time. If I needed some quiet time I could turn off the radio and enjoy the drive in silence. All that came to a screeching halt the day she was born. Most days I do not mind her endless questions or chatter. But some days, some days I could really use silence.
This morning Peyton decided she wanted to be the mom and pretend she was driving me to school. If you know me, you know I can be mischievous. My first thought was “this is payback time! I’m going to drive her nuts with a constant, endless string of questions and not let her get a word in!” I knew exactly what I was going to say. EVERYTHING she says to me 500 million times a day.
Our car ride lasted about 20 minutes this morning. Peyton kept her cool the whole time with me bombarding her with questions like:
Are we there yet?
I’m hungry. Do you have any food?
Can we stop at the gas station? I need food.
I have to go potty! NOW!
Are we there yet?
When will get there?
Is it far?
How much longer?
Do you love me? How much?
Do you love me more than Sebastian? (our cat)
Who do you love more? Me or Sebastian? Are you sure?
I repeated these questions nonstop to her. All. The. Way. To. School.
Do you know what she did? She responded with every answer I normally give her!
We’ll be there soon.
I’m sorry I have no food in the car but you can eat when you get to school.
No we cannot stop at the gas station. We already passed it.
Do you really have to go potty? Or are you just trying to get me to stop at a gas station?
Not yet.
We’ll be there soon.
Just a little further up the road.
Of course I love you. More than words.
Yes I love you more than Sebastian.
I love Peyton more. And yes I am positive of it.
Both of us were giggling and having a good time. What I learned was ~ Peyton likes to ask questions to drive me nuts. But she actually listens to my answers! It really reinforced kids do listen to us. My daughter takes everything I tell her to heart and she remembers it. Our little morning time made me reflect over what I say to her and made me take note I need to watch what I say. My words have power and to her my words are everything.
