The word ‘NO’ is not something my son hears very often. And that’s not because I spoil him, far from it. It’s mostly because he really doesn’t ask for very much. He does his homework, without me having to pester him. He cleans up after himself. He makes his own breakfast. And, he’s usually pretty helpful around the house. He even does his own laundry.
Sounds like a parent’s dream right?
Of course, like all teenagers, he certainly has his moments. Occasionally he will roll his eyes and he’s been known to cop an attitude. A few times he even tried talking back to me. But he quickly learned those moments don’t end very well for him.
In general, he’s a good kid. A really good kid. He’s confident, respectful, independent, and very funny. So when my son does ask for something, I usually just say, “Yes.”
Example:
“Mom, will you drive to me so-and-so’s house”
“Yes.”
“Mom, can I have a few friends over our house”
“Yes.”
“Mom, can I get this new guitar? It costs x amount of dollars, but I’m putting in half of my own money?”
“Yes.”
See. I almost always say, “Yes.”
Except for when I don’t.
Typically I only have to say, “No”, when my son asks for something outrageous. And when that happens? I respond just as outrageously.
Case. In. Point.
“Mom, can I pierce my ear?”
“No. That’s not gunna happen.”
“Mom, can I get a tattoo?”
“Nope. Not gunna happen.”
“Mom, can I have $1,500.00 for a Gibson Les Paul guitar?”
*Dead.Silence.
And that my friends, is precisely when I channel my ‘Inner Chris Turk’.
First, I grab my tambourine.
[Yes people. Not only do I own a tambourine, but I have been known to tambour with the best of them.]
And then, I transform into a Black Man while singing this:
Honestly, boys and girls. I’ve found this to be the most effective way of saying, “No”.
Yes?
I’ve carried on in the great tradition of my parents and say no before my kids can even get the whole sentence out. “Mom, can I … NO!” I’ll have to go to my mom and dads house and dig up my old tambourine so I can put it to music.
I SOOOOO want, need, must have a tambourine. I love that you “have been known to tambour with the best of them”!!
I’m curious, (because I haven’t had to deal with this yet) how do you say no to a tattoo, my tattooed friend? Does he not retort “But why not, you have THREE!!”
Saying NO with MUSIC rules!
🙂
Saying NO with MUSIC rules!
🙂
Saying NO with MUSIC rules!
🙂
Oh that’s easy, Nicky. I just tell him when he grows up, if he ever becomes a parent? He can be a hypocrite too. but until then.
NOT GUNNA HAPPEN!
Oh that’s easy, Nicky. I just tell him when he grows up, if he ever becomes a parent? He can be a hypocrite too. but until then.
NOT GUNNA HAPPEN!
Oh that’s easy, Nicky. I just tell him when he grows up, if he ever becomes a parent? He can be a hypocrite too. but until then.
NOT GUNNA HAPPEN!
Why Tambourines were hot toys when I was a kid ! Gosh I feel old…
There’s probably one lying in our house back in India.
MathMan bought a whistle this past weekend, but I don’t see it being as effective as a tambourine. I love it!
Awesome Meleah!. I have the joy of a strangely well-behaved kid; still, I like to keep my saying no to him options open:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zNjQecyjE8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IXCK1EyP4s
and my personal favorite -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lITBGjNEp08
Kiddo is not a crazy Dutch bastard but has been known to behave like one… once in a blue Moon 🙂
They are soooo much fun!
Whistles can be VERY effective!
Ha!
Haha! Love it! I’m gonna try that the next time I have to say no to anything. Maybe when they ask for my zip code at the checkout line at a department store. Can you imagine their faces? LOL. But seriously, I’m so glad your son is turning into a nice young man that you don’t often have to say no to. Obviously you did something right – you are allowed to be proud of him! 🙂
LOL!! I love Scrubs.
I’m glad your son is so well-behaved. He must have a pretty awesome mother.
Aw. Thanks, Tenni. I am proud of him.
And singing “NUT GUNNA HAPPEN” is ALWAYS a good time!
Scrubs = one of my favorite shows of ALL TIME!
While I admire and agree with your parenting…. were I him I (might) reply “As IF” !
(Warning, somewhat obscure reference).
I have been known to belt out Taps on my harmonica in an attempt to convey a similar NO ! I think the whole Tambourine thing is better.
Seriously, nothing is better than the Tambourine for these situations!
Wow. You say ‘yes’ a lot. This bodes well for me. I’ll be there, say, next Tuesday?
Hehehe. I like that song.
Well, Moooog35…
You do have that Southwest Airline ticket burning a hole in your pocket.
*kidding*
“NOT GUNNA HAPPEN, NO, NOT GUNNA HAPPEN *ah-ha*”
I love it too!
My son? Not.so.much.
Yes 🙂
I have all the musical instruments I would ever need, but I don’t have a son or daughter to sing that to 😉
🙂
So now, basically all you have to do is pick up the tambourine and he knows what’s coming. Good tragedy.
Exactly, Jane. Exactly!
Oh my goodness he actually asked for a Les Paul? Now that is a good one. Not even Eben would go that far. He knows he would never get it anyway.
LOL…I shall remember to channel my “Inner Turk” too! You write the greatest things. I am of course laughing!!:-)))
Im glad I made you laugh!
My son just thinks I’m crazy. And annoying.
And I guess I am.
I need a tambourine fast!!!!
AHAHAHHAHAHHA!
See, how easy it is to “NO” when you sing it?!
Hahahaha! That’s funny! And how lovely that you have such a great kid!
Thanks Jay!
It’s easy to say no with a tambourine, but probably harder to be on the receiving end. Good thing your kid is a good kid 🙂
I’m quite fond of the word no. Or, the words fuck off. I think saying “No, fuck off!” while accompanying myself on a tambourine would priceless. You have inspired me. I’m going to get one, and drive my son crazy. Thank you, Meleah.
Better yet, lie to him. Tell him that your your tattoos, like him, were the unfortunate result of drinking too much alcohol and making hasty decisions. Since he’s a teenager and hates being your offspring so much that he wishes he didn’t exist, he may see the wisdom in not getting a tattoo.
The first time I ever did that to my son, since he’s also a fan of the show
Scrubs, he laughed a lot. But after that? Not. So. Much.
You’re welcome.
Adding the tambourine is KEY to annoying your child endlessly.
I just choked while laughing and ended up spitting my coffee clear across my
entire computer.
*note to self: do not read any future comments from Mikewj while
eating/drinking. Ever.
No tattoos? No piercings? Harsh, mom, harsh. How’s he ever going to learn unless you let him do something stupid in his life? Better yet, tell him he can get a tattoo, but YOU get to pick the tat and the place.
But I do like your way of saying “no”. Nothing says style like doing it with a song.
Well, when he’s 18 I cant stop him.
But since he’s only 14? NOT GUNNA HAPPEN!
🙂
I’m so going to get a tambourine.
🙂
I think we need a video of you in action with a Tambourine…:) I think the eye roll thing is part of having a teenager..mine did it quite well..usually when I did something that embarrassed them in public which is probably about the most fun you can have…:)
Hmmm… not sure I can sing it with as much soul as he did, but I’m certainly willing to give it a try. My kids already think I’m a little off-kilter anyway.
Well. You seem to have been given a much easier son than I was. With my son (from fourteen years old on), I’d have had that tambourine out so often, I’d have had blistered hands. Perhaps a bass drum would have been more appropriate. And as for my daughter? I said yes entirely too much …
OMG to funny. I can see you with the tambourine, I can even hear you singing. But gurl you’re gonna need a lot more sun. Besides we all enjoy the different seasons as they appear on your lovely skin.
BTW your son sounds like one hell of a kid! Think he should be surprised this holiday with a Gibson Les Paul guitar. Huh???
PS: Next video request; you on the tambourine and your son on the guitar, singing to that Russian guy singing over at Shoot Me Now. La la la la la
The people in my house are always rolling their eyes and are basically outrageous with anything they ask for… I’m good at no 🙂
Gotta love Chris Turk! I can just picture you now, breaking out into song!