We are lying on the basement floor today making cool things with Lego.
I say to Ben: “I’m going upstairs – to the bathroom.”
“Gross!” he says. “You don’t have to tell me you are going to the bathroom, dad.”
“I am just telling you so you know where I am.” Lately he has taken to asking, then calling, then wandering around the house shouting for me because I have left the room and he hasn’t noticed.
“Oh yeah.” Pause. “Dad, we should just change your name to dad, Dad, DAD.” He says the first ‘dad’ at normal volume, the second ‘Dad’ at elevated volume and shouts the third ‘DAD’.
“Ok,” I laugh. “And I’m going to call you ben, Ben BEN,” elevating my voice each time until I shout the third ‘BEN’.
Anyone who has ever had a 6 year old knows the rule of three. The first time you say their name it is background noise. The second time, they hear it but are are consciously ignoring you. And after the third time, they are upset because you are shouting at them.
This kid cracks me up – and he knows it.
