Copycat

As a parent, it can be terrifying to hear the words you speak repeated back to you by your kids. Not because the thing they said was so terrible, although it could be, but because you realize that anything that flies out of your mouth could be repeated back to you or anyone else, at any time, by a three year old.

When Layla doesn't want to do something that we want her to do or wants to do something we don't want her to do, we often employ the technique of explaining that other people, who she looks up to, do or don't do the thing being discussed (Example: "Does Grandma eat her yogurt with her hands? No. Then you shouldn't either.)

So it shouldn't have surprised us when this exchange took place this morning when Layla came into our bedroom to find Ryan sleeping in his polo shirt.

Layla: "Dad, you forgot to put on your pajamas."
Ryan: "Yep, I slept in my clothes last night."
Layla: "But we're supposed to wear pajamas to bed."
Ryan: "I know, Sweetie, but sometimes Daddy sleeps in his clothes."
Layla: "Do I sleep in my clothes, Daddy?"
Ryan: "No."
Layla: "Does Mommy sleep in her clothes?"
Ryan: "No."
Layla: "Does Bubby sleep in his clothes?"
Ryan: "No."
Layla: "Don't you think you should wear pajamas to bed like everybody else?"

Touche.