Andyisms in Stereo

Our son has been testing us more than usual lately (yes, I know what you're thinking). It's been a deliberate, calculating, sort of testing and we've decided to challenge him right back. You know, that whole discipline thing that we do oh, so well.

Picture this: Andy is in his pjs but for some reason is waving around his recently abandoned boxer briefs. They go on his head and he dances around for a bit. All is semi-humorous until he shoves them in my face. I tell him, in no uncertain tone, that he is to cut that out - I do not want dirty underwear in my face. He then proceeds to dance around with it on his head again. And then he waves it in Kevin's face. Who sternly tells him it's not funny and to knock it off.

And then Andy moseys on over and shoves them in my face. I snatch them from him and begin to yell when Kevin interrupts. "I'm throwing them in the trash."

And Andy loses it. Completely loses it. "No-o, Dad. No!" And the wailing starts. Kevin loudly reminds him that we told him to stop it and this is his own doing. And the wailing continues. And then he totally loses control of himself - he's kicking at the air and punching the air and just wailing and screaming.

Yes, over underwear. It was funny. But Kevin and I didn't start snickering until Andy threw himself toward Kevin, stopping just short of contact. "I am SO mad at you. You did that on purpose. You are SO mean. " Oh, he was serious.

And we started snickering. And that just fueled the fire. Goodness, did he get mad. But it is kind of funny watching a 6 year old throw a full fledged temper tantrum (inside the privacy of our home). I finally had to vice-grip him in a hug and get him to calm down.

And then 5 minutes later..."I am still so mad at you, Dad. And I'm mad at you, Mom, for being on his side."

And then 5 more minutes later, he casually walked in the kitchen (to check the trash) and came back wailing again. "That was my favorite underwear. You have to buy me some more. Both of you have to buy me some." Tears, tears and more tears. Kevin reminded him of how they ended up in the trash. He calmed down again.

And then 10 minutes later..."The person who threw my underwear away has to apologize." Snickers were heard in the crowd. That kid can hold a grudge.

The good news is - we must have done something right! The kid was/still is mad at us. The underwear is still in the trash. This was great fodder for therapy later in his life. Woohoo! Cheers for parenting hurdles!