April 14, 2011

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Me: "Hey, little man, you're getting to be pretty big now and I think it's important that
you learn the meaning of the word 'respect'."

Sippy Cup: "What's that?"

Me: "Well, 'respect' means when you treat people the way you would want them to treat you."

Sippy Cup: "Huh?"

Me: "Well, let me see if I can explain this.  Uhm...what's your favorite toy?"

Sippy Cup: "Uhm...I don't know...my robot?"

Me: "Ok.  Your robot.  What if you were playing with your robot in the park-"

Sippy Cup: "Why would I take the robot to the park?  I wouldn't take my robot to the park. 
It could get dirty.  Or break!"

Me: "Ok, calm down.  Let's just imagine that you take it with you to the playground for some reason. 
What if you were playing with your robot in the park and some little boy came and took it from you? 
For no reason whatsoever, he just comes over and takes it from you?"

Sippy Cup: "I'd get up, punch him and take it back."

Me: "Well, no, you see that's not nice.  Would you like it if he punched you?"

Sippy Cup: "Why would he punch me?  He took my robot!"

Me: "Well, let's say you took his robot and then he got up and punched you."

Sippy Cup: "Well, if I took his robot, then I guess it's ok if he punched me.  Then I'd give it back to him."

Me (sighing): "Really?  Even with this one?  You just couldn't sit there and learn something, could you?"

Sippy Cup: "That's why I don't take toys to the playground.  That way, no one gets punched."

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