Mutual & Synchronized Take-Aways

This little Nana went to market, this little DeDe stayed home...

     Our 2-year-old is sitting on a substantial ottoman in his living room chillin’ to Daniel the Tiger. Mommy, Nana, and Dede are also in the room. Nana bought him the coolest, new, black suede, TOMS shoes at a second-hand store. We are all eager to see if they fit, so it's try-on time; or, will it instead be a trying time for Mommy?


     Let’s see if your new shoes fit!

     The immediate reply is: No.

     Aw, come on. Let’s just put one on, real fast. Mommy will take it right off.

     No.

     Nana and DeDe watch for the moment of truth. Uncomfortable shoe times fill all of our memory banks, so disciplining him to cooperate seems senseless. My motto is: Carefully select your battles with a teen AND a 2-year-old.

     A creative thought enters our minds:  JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES and Mommy will put the shoes on, real fast!

     To our bewilderment, he barely flinches and turns onto his stomach. He not only closes his eyes, but covers them; AND, he lifts his feet into the air assuming the pose: Okay, I’ll cooperate…. but only with my eyes closed. Put the shoes on please. 

     Mommy quickly slips on the shoes… and they fit like a charm! He likes them and actually leaves the TOMS on.

     Astonished Mommy asks: From where did that eye-closing idea come? And why did it work?

     This incident reminds me of a years-ago commercial, with hard-to-crack little Mikey being coaxed to take a scrumptious Life cereal bite. Mikey finally eats a spoonful, smiles, and big brother triumphantly exclaims: He likes it!!! Mikey likes it!!!

Mutual & synchronized take-aways: 

• If at first you don't succeed, think creatively.
• Eyes might need to be closed AND covered to soften some risky endeavors!
• Two Mothers-in-Law Mutual are better than none.