The Silent "I"

Eight

Alex: I know what I want for my birthday.
Me: What?
Alex:  Two Wii Games. One for me and one for the family.
Me:  Which games are you interested in?
Alex: Oh, I don't care.  I just want games that are rated T for Teens.
Me:  Sorry, no.
Alex:  Why not?
Me: You're turning 8, not 18.  Those games are for Teens, meaning kids 13 and older.
Alex:  I know a kid who is 9 who has all the T games.  And even one rated M (Mature)!
Me:  Doesn't matter.  You're not getting them until you're 13 or older, and only after I've checked them out first.
Alex: That is SO NOT FAIR.  Why can't I have them? Why are you so mean?
Me:  Because it's my job, as your parent, to protect you.
Alex:  Protect me from what?  You think those dudes are going to come to life and get me?  Hahaha.  I'm not a baby, Mom.  I know it's a cartoon.
Me:  No, I think they come to life in your imagination, they give you bad dreams, and they show you things that might look funny or fun and are not. 
Alex:  Like what?
Me: Like hurting people or animals, or saying unkind words to others.  If you see it in a game, you might think, "Oh, that's not so bad" and it's not something we allow.  It doesn't hurt your body, it hurts your heart.
Alex:  But that other kid has them...
Me:  He wouldn't if he lived here.
Alex:  (pout)

Next Day:

Alex:  You know that kid I told you about?  The one with all the T games?
Me:  Yes.  What about him?
Alex:  I don't think he has very good parents.  They should protect him. They should protect his heart.
Me: (giving myself a mental fist-bump):  Every family has different rules. 

 

How I Learned to Love the Michelin Man

That's me doing the braking demonstration.  I'm now ready to try jumping over Snake River Canyon, I think, or at least drive in the rain.

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