Socks for Dinner?


One of my favorite shows growing up was The Cosby Show. It was fresh and funny. And if you have never seen BILL COSBY HIMSELF, I highly recommend it. Because like his show, this concert can make kids, adults, and just about anybody laugh their heads off. One of the things I really loved(and still do) about The Cosby Show was the unique way they got their message across to their children. A few examples include: Denise comes home from college to visit her family and really she visits her friends instead. To make their point, the family ignores her when she is ready to leave. Message was loud and clear. Theo believes he can make it in "the real world" as most kids do. Family puts on an elaborate scheme of the "real world" where Theo must buy his food, furniture, rent his room etc. Lesson learned. The real world is harsh. Vanessa spends an evening with friends. They get drunk. Next day she is sent to school completely hungover. If that isn't punishment enough, again the folks plan an elaborate scheme. They invite her to play the same game she did the night before and do shots of brandy. Not only were they doing it, but Rudy was invited as well. Turns out the "brandy' in question was tea.

I know I don't write for a television show, and I know that they were actors in a show. But come on, those are some awesome messages!! They make the kid think. I have only managed to dish out one such message.

Emily had this nasty habit of leaving her dirty smelly socks on the table. Why she put them there I will never know. I certainly don't put MY socks there, nor does Rich. I would normally just toss them on the floor and grumble about it. But really what good is that? Sometimes if she was in the room, I would tell her not to do that. Finally, I was fed up. It was time to change things.

One night as I was clearing the table for dinner, I found her nasty socks yet again. Grrrr! child, I do not want your nasty socks on my table! Then it hit me. I need to get the message across to her that this is not where socks go. I put them on a plate and set it neatly at her usual spot. Then I called everyone to dinner. Emily was last to come to the table, which is pretty normal. She looked down at her "socks for dinner" and then gave me a very blank stare. She simply didn't know what to make of it.

"Why are there socks on my plate?" she asked.

"Well since you put them on the table, I just figured that is what you wanted to eat."I said calmly. Shock and awe.

"No." she said.

"Then please do not leave your socks on the table." And guess what? She has never done it again. I had forgotten about that day until Mama Kat's writing prompt for today brought it straight to the surface. Maybe I need to turn the tables more often. It seems a far more effective method of getting the point across. Of course, logic doesn't always work on a 4 year old!

If you would like to participate in Mama Kat's weekly prompt, go here to her site.

Comments

Emmy said…
That is awesome!!! Love it!

I want my kids to put their socks on the table now just so I can do that ;)

I totally remember the episode with Theo living in the real world, one of my favorites.

And Bill's Cosby's Chocolate Cake for Breakfast, sooo funny!!
Lauralyn said…
That is so funny. I obviously need to be more creative with my discipline. :)
Sistas in Zion said…
I love, love, love the Cosby Show too! I am positive that if it were still making new episodes, you could sell the sock story. Seriously your technique is going in my mental rolodex!
Carolynn said…
We never know for sure where we will learn good things. Yes, awesome. You rock.
Maya said…
Perfect!



~ Maya from http://marfmom.wordpress.com
I read this and my first thought is "AWESOME."


My second thought, is what would I have done if I had been in your daughters shoes.

I tell you what. I would have piled the food high and acted like nothing was out of the norm

OR

I would have removed my current socks and put them on the plate to.

(I can her my mother's words echo in my mind, "I hope you have one just like you).
The Crazy Coxes said…
Good one!
I love making the punishment fit the crime!
Holly Lefevre said…
Cute story...very similar in concept to my poopy pancake story for Mama Kat this week.

Holly @ 504 Main
Awesome. Great way to help make your point very very clear. And the Cosby Show was a staple in our house growing up. Still love the re-runs.
KK said…
Loved that show. Great teaching moment there!
laughing .... this SO sounds like my daughter!! Have a great weekend!
KatBouska said…
Hahaha..oh that is classic!

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