The hotel gift shop

June 27, 2008 at 8:36 PM

"Mom, can we get these swim goggles? They are the perfect goggles, I've tried this kind before and these are what I want."

"No, not today. They look like nice goggles, but this is an overpriced resort hotel gift shop, not the best place to buy them."

"But we're about to go swimming, I need them now!"

"The answer is no, we are not buying goggles right now."

"You are totally ruining everything for going swimming. We might as well not go. I'm going to have a terrible time."

"We aren't getting the goggles. You will still have a fun time swimming."

"Why can't we get the goggles?"

"Because I said no."

"That isn't a reason. I really need them. Give me five good reasons why you won't buy them for me!"

"I have five good reasons for you."

"They'd better be really good reasons!"

"They are. One: because I said 'no.' Two: because I said 'no.' Three: because I said 'no.' Four: because I said 'no.' And five: because I said 'no.' "

We didn't get the goggles. We walked over to the pool, the kids lugging along discontentedly. When we arrived, we got towels, and also we noticed a big blue basket full of toys for children to use: floaties, sand toys, buckets, watering cans and...goggles.

From Patricia Baser
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 8:55 PM

Boy, can I relate!

From William Wolcott
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Great story.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 10:19 PM

Sounds familiar. Nice job, Mom!

From Laurie Niles
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 10:23 PM

I had to commit this one to writing because it was one of the -- like maybe three times? during parenthood when I : a. kept my cool, b. said/did the
right thing, and c. was vindicated in the end. Score one for the parents! ;)

From Ray Randall
Posted on June 27, 2008 at 11:16 PM

You deserve a medal for doing what every parent should. I know it's tough, good job.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on June 28, 2008 at 1:34 AM

Mother is always right. Congratulations on doing what you've wanted to do for a long time. The second time you do it, it will be much easier.

From Rosalind Porter
Posted on June 28, 2008 at 12:22 PM

This made me laugh! I love the "5 reasons". Cruel Mommy LOL.

From Laurie Niles
Posted on June 28, 2008 at 7:34 PM

Today, at Walgreen's, without children present, I got them goggles. Two for the price that I would have paid at that gift shop!

From Bonny Buckley
Posted on June 30, 2008 at 6:20 PM

ha ha ha ha ha !!! Two thumbs up for doing the work of "mom" -- wish more people would do that in the US!!! ; )

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