Always Joe

As our longtime Fans know, Julie likes to chat with Joe after reading to him before he goes to bed.  Of late, we have been chatting about what to say in lieu of bursting into tears when someone does something that makes us sad, mad, or frustrated.  As our longtime Fans may also recall, what they say in the infant rooms at KinderCare is "No, thank you!" because, apparently, teachers are not permitted to say simply, "No!"  This kinder, gentler no is still used in some of the rooms for older kids, and is used by many parents, Julie and Ted included.

But, you know, Joe is a pre-kindergartner now, and your pre-kindergartner situations demand a pre-kindergartner script.  The necessity of some alternative phrases became evident when, on Friday evening, Joe relayed that a friend had labeled his show-'n'-share item "so stupid," and that he had said "No, thank you!" in response.  Well done, Joe!  But we felt that perhaps we could give him a bit more to work with, something equal to "so stupid."  So Friday night, we came up with:
No!
Stop it!
Quit it!
I don't like that!
That's mean!
Cut it off! (Joe's contribution)
Knock it off! (Joe's other contribution; and isn't he embracing slang in the most delightful way?!)

We discussed the necessity of tossing of these invectives with the appropriate attitude.  That is, that one cannot toss a "Cut it off!" out there while crying or giggling.  We practiced.  Julie told Joe she thought his pajamas were stupid, and Joe said "No thank you!" (through giggles) and stormed off.  Subsequent exchanges were better in the sense that Joe's pretended huffiness was not diminished by true laughter, though he did not experiment with alternative words.

Tonight, we asked Our Hero if anyone had made him sad or mad or frustrated, and had he cried?  In other words, had he had the chance to use his new words and did he?!  He had, and he did!  (Pre-K is a rough and tumble world.)  Alas, he fell back on "No, thank you."  It's a classic to be sure, but lacks the flair of, certainly, "Cut it off!" which is clearly the best of the bunch.  But words were spoken and no tears were shed.

After we'd hashed that all out, Julie relayed all she'd done at work today, which led Joe to ask what he was going to be when he grew up.  Fans.  Who can even wait to see?!  Joe stated that he would like to work where Daddy does--i.e. Target headquarters downtown.  Not a bad gig, not a bad gig.  He then asked if his name would always be Joe when he grew up.

Of course, he will always be Our Joe, Fans.  Which is just what we told him--before we reviewed that Mommy, Daddy, Joe, and Clara are all in each other's hearts, and asked Joe if he thought there was anyone in his belly button.