Mommy’s Right

In a recent interview on the Late Show with David Letterman, Tina Fey spoke about her four-year-old daughter, saying she has gotten “past the three year old part where they are little jerks and then they’re cute again.” Being that I had recorded the episode on my DVR, I could play this snip-it over and over again … for inspiration.

Spicy Girl is indeed three, and yes, I’ve heard it—three is the new two. Which isn’t fair, because if two had just stayed two, I would have been through it all by now. And frankly, back when she was two, she slept longer, wasn’t as coordinated and agile, and her “talking back” vocabulary wasn’t as advanced. In other words, I had a fighting chance.

The real difference between two and three is the sheer will and determination that she takes into each exercise of defiance. So, what that means is that we have had to go nose to nose on stubbornness. I have 40 more years of experience on this one, and even there, I am at a disadvantage.

But, by happenstance, I came into a phrase that is actually helpful: “Let’s see if Mommy’s right.”

The origin of “LSIMR” came one evening when Spicy Girl was attempting to use a toy in a manner it was not designed to do. I told her that, “The Tinker Toys don’t bend, so it won’t work.” She insisted on going against nature and me, and there it was: crack!!! Broken Tinker Toy.

“Mommy’s Right.” She said.

“Yup, Mommy’s right,” I said back. And there it was - my shield to take into battle.

Now, when she wants to do something that I know is not in the best interest of anyone I say, “No, that won’t work. Let’s see if Mommy is right.” (So as not to leave the reader thinking I’m focusing on he negative, I use the same phrase to promote positive and creative actions as well.)

It’s working so well, that she actually sets the phrase into motion by asking me questions like, “Mommy, can Pinky Horse go in the tub?”

“No, Spicy girl, Pinky cannot go in the tub.”

“Let’s see if Mommy’s right!” She says as the stuffed pink horse sinks to the bottom of the tub. “Oh… Mommy IS right!”

“Yes, yes I am …”

And hoping Tina is right about four.