I heard the kids playing upstairs when suddenly, Bennett starts crying about something that happened. I figured they're old enough to handle small disturbances by themselves, they don't need me stepping in to fix every little problem.
But then Bennett starts amping up the volume on his little, whiny cry and starts making it sound more pathetic than it was just 2 seconds ago when he was upstairs. Now he's in front of me with his face twisted in (feigned) agony. When he finds just the right whiny pitch that will make his injustice seem believable enough, he starts in:
"Mo...ooo...ooo..mmmm. We were upstairs playing Aunt, Cuz and Cousin and I got a pillow and was running at Gavin with it when he just picked up his leg and put it out at me and hit me here (while pointing to his reddened knee)."
AND???.....
Seriously...is this your entire complaint? And is that even a real game you're playing? Who plays Aunt, Cuz and Cousin? And HOW do you play such a game?
Once the obvious questions were out of the way, I attempted to get Gavin's version. Often times, it would appear that the two parties of a disagreement lived on two different planets. The other kid normally gives a version of the story of such contrast, that there was no way they could have been in the same room together, much less witnessed the same event. Lucky for me, Gavin's rendition supported Bennett's pathetic accusation.
I know parents aren't supposed to take sides...but I just couldn't see this one any other way. I was like, "Bennett...so, you're telling me that if Gavin was running at you with a pillow with the intention of hitting you somewhere on your body, you would just stand there and take it and not try to defend yourself?"
"Well...no...I guess, I would." Of course that sentence makes zero sense - but I knew what he meant.
Me again: "So, here's the deal...either I handle this situation for you and it will involve never touching, wrestling or rough housing with your brother again and you can both come downstairs and do some fun chores for me....OR...you guys can try to solve this on your own."
Didn't I make that sound appealing. I was rather pleased with myself.
Suddenly, reconciliations were made and they were back to the fun of "Aunt, Cuz and Cousin".
Another day. Another problem solved. If only all parenting issues could be this easy.
