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April 11, 2006
Broken Chair
How do children's minds work? And what spins them into the gears that rotate upon.
A couple of nights ago, one of our dining room chairs was broken, and obviously so. Even a child could tell that it was broken.
And she did.
Now this is where my wife and I don't always see eye to eye. Its the confusion and uncertainty of the children that I seek to root out; to sharpen their wits, to make them perceive through the veil that is cast upon them in this harsh world.
My wife would say that I am the one sowing the confusion. Creating it out of thin air. Moving the children into the realm of the uncertain. Well, perhaps it is so.
So, the other morning, enter Auralia. At this point, she is two years old, has developed quite the strong will ("From her father." says her mother), and still is working on piercing the veil of confusion that so easily surrounds two year olds.
"Auralia, why did you break my chair?"
She looks confused, as expected, "I didn't break your chair."
"Auralia, why did you break my chair?"
Obviously, defending herself gets her nowhere, so she doesn't answer.
"Do you think I should spank you for breaking my chair? Come here."
So, I'm possibly sowing some confusion, but I do have intent.
"But, I didn't break your chair," she says as she moves a little out of my reach.
"Auralia come here."
She continues in her defense. I guess she thinks that now it is the only thing standing between her and a spanking.
At this point, my wife chimes in, "Why do you do these things to our children?"
Why, indeed. To pierce the veil of confusion; to make them confident that their father will only punish the things that they do, and not the things that they do not do.
Auralia has arrived.
"Auralia, did you break my chair?"
"No."
"Auralia, did you break my chair?"
"No."
Auralia, did you break my chair?"
"Yes."
Hmmm... "Why did you break my chair?"
"Because I wanted to, dad."
Check and mate. Its the grinding of those intangible gears that I love.
Of course I gave her an extremely hard spanking.. Wait, no I didn't. I just laughed and hugged her as my wife rolled her eyes.
What then, will happen tomorrow?
Posted by oriondark at April 11, 2006 12:21 PM
Comments
Devin says he's very glad he's too far away for you to spank...
Thanks for hosting the other night. It was wonderful to see you all!
Posted by: becki at April 12, 2006 2:31 PM
Don't worry, FAD, IDD, GAD,and SAND....I've already started a fund for your therapy sessions that you'll need to help you cope with the reality that your dad has created for you.
Posted by: nutmeg at April 13, 2006 2:45 PM