Who's the boss?

Just a few short days after the 'where to babies come from' question, I was hit with another 4 year question bomb. I wasn't expecting it. I was blindsided and it wasn't fair. But 4 year olds don't have the same definition of fair. (And I am pretty sure they have some book at school she reads - 'Questions that will flip out your Mom on the way home').

Once again, driving along having just picked my daughter up from school. We again, going through the routine of the day and BAM! 4 year old 'Emeril' hits me upside the head with this one 'when am I going to have a little brother or sister?' WHOA! Pull back, hold on, slow down.

Now it is one thing for the parents, grandparents, neighbors and even strangers to ask when we are going to have the next but when the 4 year old begins the prodding, it has just gone too far. And of course, at this point, she is an expert on where babies come from (see previous blog) and knows that this is possible, not because I carried and birthed her but simply because I am a girl. (Who answered that question anyhow?)

So my first question back (which is always the response for the adults that question us on this) - 'are you going to pay for school?' Followed by a look of 'sure' with a the standard 4 year old sholder shrug/head tilt. I stop with the adult line of questioning because that would just lead to further questions. Thus begins the questions you can only ask a child:

'If you have a baby brother or sister, would you help mom and dad with:
Q) Dressing A) Yes
Q) Feeding A) Yes
Q) Washing A) Yes
Q) Hugging A) Yes
Q) Loving A) Yes
Q) Playing A)Yes
Q) Snuggling A)Yes'

Okay, my tactic at this point was not working. And I think she is starting to convince me this is a good idea. Then, it came to me, I had it...

'Would you share your toys, even your snuggly and babies, with your little brother and sister?'

Thinking.... short pause... 'Yes!' NO! Not the right answer! I mean it is, but it isn't - this isn't helping my case. She continues with the 'so can I? so can I?' as if the local Babies R Us just has them there for us to pick up when we are ready.

Now how to explain gestation.... to a four year old..... I explain the tummy, the growing, the time it takes. She is okay with all this (as are most people when it isn't their body for 40 weeks). So I guess it is a done deal. Dad and I have some work to do. When it finally really hits me, the winning question:

'Okay, one more question, would you help change the diapers, even the stinky, icky, gross poopy ones?'

'EEWWWWW NO!'

I win!

I won - didn't I? I mean I get to change ALL the poopy diapers when the time comes...