[Scene:Â We’re sitting in the downstairs family room and I’m on the couch with my back to Liam who is building an epic railway with his wooden train tracks.]
Liam: Hey, Mama! I see a bug!
Shannon: (assuming it’s another of the ladybugs who seem to be popping up all over the house these days) Oh, that’s neat! What kind of bug is it?
Liam: Oh, I don’t know. I’m just watchin’ it crawling around. I’m just gonna play with it for a little while, Mama.
Shannon: (turning around to watch what’s happening) Well, let me see what it is (realizing it is NOT a ladybug). Oh dear, Liam! Let’s not touch that, okay?
Liam: Why? What is it? What kind of bug is it?
Shannon: I think it’s a scorpion. I’m not exactly sure, but it definitely has pinschers and you’re not allowed to touch it, okay? Let me go get a shoe to smash it. I’ll be right back. (while running upstairs to get a shoe) You just stand there and keep an eye on it, okay?
Liam: Okay, Mama. Okay. I’ll do that. I’ll just stay here and watch the bug for a little bit. I’ll play with it.
Shannon:Â (yelling from upstairs) Buddy, you may watch it, but please don’t touch.
Liam:Â Okay, Mama.
Shannon:Â (running back downstairs with shoe in hand) Okay Buddy, I’m going to take care of it.
Liam: Oh, Mama! We were just playing together. He’s my best friend, so let’s be so nice to him, okay?
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In my defense I did pause for a second before smashing that sucker with the shoe. During that pause, however, I did not think about whether I should smash the bug. I did think about making sure to get Liam some playdates with actual people this summer…
His best friend scorpion can go along with the “most favorite rock” that is still in my car. He found it on the sidewalk at Lowes.