Was it better than staying home? Part 2
May 4th 2008 07:27
The week before we left for LA, I conducted an experiment. I took my two children and one of my older son's friends to a rugby league match. We had to park a long way from the ground which meant a 15 minute walk. I was secretly timing the four year old, to see how long it would take him to utter that famous phrase: "Are we there yet?" (Result: about three minutes)
Once we arrived at the ground, it was about ten minutes into the first half when he said: "Can we go home now?"
My experiment was successful. I was able to distract him with food, colouring in and a few slight exaggerations about how much time was left in the game. We made it to the end, I piggy backed the four year old the kilometre back to the car and I went home for a stiff drink. Then I retrieved the old pram from under the house, dusted off the cobwebs and put it on the front verandah, ready to go to the USA.
Lesson one: Small children need incentives for most things.
Lesson two: Parents need a hefty dose of realism.
And now for my next daring experiment: 13 hours solo on an aeroplane.
Once we arrived at the ground, it was about ten minutes into the first half when he said: "Can we go home now?"
My experiment was successful. I was able to distract him with food, colouring in and a few slight exaggerations about how much time was left in the game. We made it to the end, I piggy backed the four year old the kilometre back to the car and I went home for a stiff drink. Then I retrieved the old pram from under the house, dusted off the cobwebs and put it on the front verandah, ready to go to the USA.
Lesson one: Small children need incentives for most things.
Lesson two: Parents need a hefty dose of realism.
And now for my next daring experiment: 13 hours solo on an aeroplane.
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