So I've done half a job......

Today I took J for his first settle in session at play group. It was with a slight sense of impending doom that I shuffled round the corner, having endured the mother of all Random Tantrum mornings, very aware that the session was slap bang in the middle of his usual nap time. Gulp. We had had, in no particular order, a tantrum because;

• "I don't want my wellies on!" Would these be the wellies you just found and then put on your own feet, yourself? Yes. Yes they would.
• "My spoon is too spoony!" Can't help you with that one darling.
• "I don't like that window!" Again, what?
• "My raisins are scaring me!" Sigh.......

Now, my children tend to get a bad rap on my blog. Mostly because the bits where they are naughty are funny, and the bits where they aren't, aren't. But J excelled himself at his first session, and made me just glow with pride (if you are thinking this whole post is a thinly veiled attempt to boast about my kids, you are wrong. It's not even thinly veiled).

But I couldn't help thinking two things during it. 1: I'm glad the stuff I'm banging on about day in day out is sinking in, and 2: Why then do you point blank refuse to do that at home?

I heard him talking to one of the lovely play leaders. The conversation he was having with her over the plastic fruit and veg was strikingly similar to one I had had with him at lunchtime, with a few key differences. Their conversation went like this;

 J: Would you like a sandwich lady?

Lady: Oooh yes please J.

J: Can I have one too please?

Lady: Yes of course.

J: And a juice please?

Lady: Yes, seeing as you asked so nicely.

J: Oh, thank you.

Lady: You're so welcome.

Our conversation earlier had gone like this:

Me: J, I have told you a bazillion times to put your feet down off the table.

J: You're a bazillion. You're a table.

Me: Would you like a sandwich?

J: OH THE GRAND OLD DUKE OF YORK........

Me: J, I asked you a question.

J: Get me a sandwich.

Me: Pardon?! Do you think you could ask me that in a different way?

(Pause while he scans head for all the manners I have diligently drummed in to him.)

J: Get me a sandwich. QUICKER!

Still. We are half way there.

I have linked this post up to the very funny Actually Mummy's Wot So Funee Blog Hop. Despite her patiently explaining to me on twitter how to get her badge, I'm still fumbling about trying to work it out, so take a look at http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/ for a giggle x