We’ve had a recurring issue in our house the past couple weeks and it involves a perceived shortage in underpants. Let me explain.
Ava, the four year old, has taken to changing her undies several times a day. She’s been potty trained for a good year now and she hasn’t been having accidents. The best we can figure is she likes to feel “fresh”. I believe she thinks she MAY be having an accident but upon investigation there never is one. It doesn’t matter how many times we tell her she doesn’t need to change, she just doesn’t believe it. We expect this is mostly just attention seeking behavior. Between the baby and the two year old being potty trained Ava occasionally feels the need to act out. Some battles you just choose to fight later.
As I mentioned, we’ve been living with this odd behavior for a few weeks. Last night things got interesting. When it came time to change into pajamas it turned out Ava didn’t have any more undies left in her drawer. So, she opted to wear one of her sisters pull-ups instead. Yeah, I shook my head at that one too.
We wound down the remainder of the evening and marched the kids back upstairs for bed. Once Ava was back in her room she again insisted she needed to change. We explained to her there was nothing to change into and it was either the pull-up or sans undies. Her choice. Well, in typical four year old fashion it turns out there was another choice after all. She asked to wear her sisters undies instead. Her two year old sister. My wife and I were tired of arguing with her at this point and let her pick a pair which she quickly threw on and proclaimed them to be “comfy”. Fine. Good. Get in bed.
As she nestled in her bed and I pulled the covers over her she started to complain again.
Ava: These undies are too tight
Dad: Well what did you expect?
Ava: They’re toooo tight
Dad: Do you know why they’re tight?
Ava: No
Dad: Because they were made for a TWO YEAR OLD
at this point my wife is trying to hold back gigglingDad: What do you suggest we do about this?
Ava: Get more undies?
Dad: Your undies are all in the washing machine and I’m not going to the store to get you more. You wear what you have on, put back on the pull-up or go without. What’s it going to be?
Ava: The pull-up
in the smallest voice you can imagine
We have those glow in the dark stars on the ceiling of the girls room. Just as the covers were being pulled back over Ava one of them let loose and fell on the pillow right next to her. I quickly deduced a “wish” would be a nice way to close out the evening. I told her, “Hey! look at that. You get to make a wish.”
Ava: I wish I had more undies
I feel someone staring at me at 5 AM. Ava is standing there and upon opening my eyes she says, “pleeeaaassseee Daddy can you see if there are more undies in the dryer now?”
I did. There were. She changed and slept for another hour and a half, in our bed. I, on the other hand, couldn’t fall back to sleep.
Ugh. If only everyone I came in contact with were this focused.
That’s just funny, Ava sounds like a girl who knows what she wants.
My three year old daughter Ella is just getting to this stage, but unfortunately it’s with all items of clothing. She changes constantly, dresses, pants, shirts, socks, shoes. and she will begin changing clothes at all different locales, like the garage, the yard, etc. Which is unfortunately resulting in many lost items like shoes for instance. I included this in my blog this morning http://dadlabscrib.ning.com/profiles/blogs/zen-and-the-art-of-parenting.
Good luck.
That is priceless. I actually snorted when I read the falling star part. You could always teach her how to wash out her own undies, but that might start something else you really don’t want to get into.
Tara R.´s last blog post..Random Wednesday ~ what were you thinking?!
Man, that is hilarious! I can totally see that whole exchange. It mirrors the kinds of things I have to deal with a four-year-old here perfectly. Except in our case, it’s us telling him when it’s time for a change.
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The lesson: Persistence pays off in the end . . .
Well played, dad . . .
tysdaddy´s last blog post..For Mature Audiences Only
Reasoning with a girl and her undies is not to be had, you’re the man for getting up and settling her mind, and the wish that came true.
@daddybrad – Yes. Indecisive is not one of her traits, thus far. I sympathize with your plight. Ava was shedding all clothes as you describe not so long ago and her sister will be entering that phase soon enough.
@Tara R. – HA! I’m glad you got a good laugh out of it
@Tom – Thankfully we don’t have the quite the problem you do. I think I’d rather have our problem.
@tysdaddy – Thanks. That persistence thing isn’t always easy.
@Famliyforce5 – Truer words may have never been typed, “Reasoning with a girl and her undies is not to be had”. Thanks
Wow. I dread these days but something tells me that I’ll be facing them soon enough. I’m really learning the persistence thing. Hopefully I’ll remember it when it’s time!
RobMonroe´s last blog post..Taxes are Done!
Chuck,
You are a man of infinite patience. I’m afraid I would’ve lost it at 5 am. But the line about the wish has to be the best little tidbit of parenting I’ve heard in a long time.
Lately, my little girl (age 3) just shouts “Oh my goodness!” and “I don’t WANT to go to the potty!” as she is going. If you peek into the bathroom to see whether she’s alright, she gives you a withering look and insists on privacy. You know the look, I’m sure.
Thanks for the laugh. At least I know there are others down in the trenches of parental weirdness with me.
- Julia
Julia´s last blog post..Bargain Valentine Dos and Don’ts
ROFL! What a cutie! I love her wish!
I love the falling star part and picturing a sleepy Dad padding to the dryer at 5a.m. to relieve a little ones discomfort.
We have no shortage of undies issues in this house. It’s near impossible to keep Boo in them and Emily insists only on Fruit Of The Loom granny style high waists two sizes too big.
Treemama´s last blog post..The Good, The Bad and The Ugliness of Life
@RobMonroe – Oh yes, you shall be there soon enough. Good luck!
@Julia – “trenches of parental weirdness” now that is a blog waiting to happen. I do seem to have been blessed with a crazy amount of patience, most times.
@Debbie Davis – Thanks Debbie! We often tell them, “You’re lucky your cute!”
@Treemama – That is too funny. We may have to start an undie support group.
Well, you know what I always say…there’s nothing better than a fresh pair of underwear!!! lol
I haven’t been around much lately. But I enjoyed catching up and will be back soon.
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