I was thinking a while ago about something from my teenage years. It was something my mother used to say. I used to hate it, but it was pretty much her final answer when her patience ran out and she was finally at her wits end with me. In her defense, it was probably said for good reason.
Still, it was something I swore I would never say to my own children, IF I was lucky enough to have any someday.
“Catherine, did you make your bed and straighten up your room?”
“Not yet, but I will.”
“That’s what you said two hours ago. Please, go do it now.”
“Awww Mom, why do I have to make my bed? I’ll just be back in it tonight.”
“You’re procrastinating, young lady. Now.”
“Why? Why do I have to?”
“Because I said so!”
I hated those words. It was like she enjoyed being bossy and telling me what to do. It wasn’t until years later that I understood she said it out of desperation.
What goes around comes around and I was lucky ... I had three fantastic daughters. The teens were a lot harder than the earlier years, when rebellion was easily circumvented with a little bit of humor, or playful teasing.
“Girls, you wanted to go to the pool today. I said we would, IF you made your beds and straightened up your rooms. Did you change your minds about going?”
“C’mon Mom, no one makes their bed or cleans their room!”
“I don’t care what ‘no one’ does, or doesn’t, do. We do.”
“Awww, Mom, I HATE making my bed. I’ll just mess it up again later.”
“You’re procrastinating. You might as well just do it. Ladies —Now!”
“That’s not fair! Why do we have to?”
(sigh) …
…
(deep breath) …
…
(Wait for it) …
…
…
“Because I said so!”
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The Voice from the Bully Pulpit! Heard that. I also hated to make my bed so I would pay my bestie (3rd grade) 13 cents from my piggy bank to make my bed--until she decided she wanted a raise.