The Upside of the Downside

What is it with my kids and “always” and “never”?  As in, “You never let us have ice cream” or “You always make us clean”.  Neither, of course, is true.  Is it their “limited” vocabulary, that isn’t so limited any other time?  Or childrens’ sense of drama and extremes?  Anyone? 

Here is a short list of the few “always” and “never” scenarios in our house:

I NEVER play with them.  I NEVER let them take a bath.  I NEVER let them buy anything at the store.  I ALWAYS make them go to bed early.  I ALWAYS change the channel in the middle of a show.  I ALWAYS yell at them.  I NEVER make dinner they like.  I ALWAYS forget to snuggle at bedtime.  That one really made me laugh, ONE NIGHT out of six years did I “forget”, and I didn’t really forget.  They were up late and I sent them to bed and laid on the couch for a minute….next thing I knew it was 2am.  They were already asleep, of course, when I tucked everyone in and kissed their sweet little faces.

Anyway, if anyone can explain the “always” and “never” syndrome, I’d love to hear it.