Toddler Conversation

This conversation takes place about 3 times each morning (or until I finish getting ready or reach my breaking point, whichever comes first).

[Scene:  I am getting ready for my day while Liam intermittently watches TV (between bouts of leaving the room to play trains).]

Liam:  I’m’a turn down da bawloom.  [proceeds to press the down volume button on the TV until it’s at mute level].  Mama, I turned down da bawloom.  Mama turn down da bawloom?  Mama please turn down da bawloom?

Shannon:  I think what you’re trying to ask me is if I’ll turn up the volume on the television.

Liam:  Mama turn down da bawloom, please?

Shannon:  I’ll be happy to turn the volume up for you Liam, but if you turn it down again it’s staying that way for a while.  Do you understand?

Liam:  Mama turn down da bawloom?

Shannon:  [turns the volume back up]

Liam:  [turns the volume back down]  Mama turn down da bawloom, please?

Shannon:  I just told you that if you did it again I wasn’t going to fix it this time, so it’s going to stay that way for a while now.

Liam:  Mama turn down da bawloom?  Mama turn down da bawloom, please?  Please Mama?  Please turn down da bawloom?

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I think he’s definitely practicing his torture tactics.  I tried showing him the “up” button, but he’s clearly accomplishing his agenda and doesn’t need any additional information in order to do so.  Unfortunately he’s very good and he’s already got the ability to break me.  Just don’t tell him I said so…