The message was clear: you can not tell me what to do because you're not the boss. I then remembered his theory from earlier in the year--he said, "Whoever is the tallest is the boss. So, mummy that makes you not the boss." C'mon kid I'm pushing 5' 6" on a really good day.
Still a bit gutted, and with an exasperated sigh I tell him that, "Daddy and I bought this house together ten years ago. It is indeed OURS, which in turn is all of ours now-our family." Anderson says, "Oh, I thought it was daddys since he is bigger than you!" Ah ha, his theory!
He then curiously asks: "How do you buy a home?" To which I reply, "Well, when you grow up you will have a job and you will need to save a little money." With his head cocked to one side, he swiftly says, "Well. I have a job. My job is to be a kid!"
Right you are buddy. Now go have a jump on mummy and daddy's bed! I might join you, as outlined in my job responsibility as your mummy.
Even so my gut wrenched and my worst fear came to mind. Our five year old thinks because I don't have to step out of my mummy uniform and leave the house every day for work (like daddy) that I do not have an authoritative ground to stand on. Visions of inequality stereotypes and the way of the fifties flashed over me...is he not seeing enough examples of women having careers outside the home? Will he respect our decision for me (lucky gal) to stay at home right now?
We did just have this dialogue last month:
Anderson: Yes, mummy...girls can do EVERYTHING boys can do, well except stand-up to go number one.
Me: Actually son...well, never mind - that is absolutely true.
Naturally, I think of Alex and what if she only aspires to be a mother and maybe not a working mother, because she thinks that is all women can do - because that is all she sees in me. Luckily, for us she has gone from aspiring to become a mermaid to more recently - a "pink doctor."
Still a bit gutted, and with an exasperated sigh I tell him that, "Daddy and I bought this house together ten years ago. It is indeed OURS, which in turn is all of ours now-our family." Anderson says, "Oh, I thought it was daddys since he is bigger than you!" Ah ha, his theory!
He then curiously asks: "How do you buy a home?" To which I reply, "Well, when you grow up you will have a job and you will need to save a little money." With his head cocked to one side, he swiftly says, "Well. I have a job. My job is to be a kid!"
Right you are buddy. Now go have a jump on mummy and daddy's bed! I might join you, as outlined in my job responsibility as your mummy.
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