The Opposite Game

posted by Momo Fali on December 27, 2010

Since I started working over 40 hours a week, my husband has taken over some of the household duties.  Yesterday, he did the grocery shopping.  It kind of made my heart melt.

His greatest assistance has come with the takeover of getting the eight year old to bed.  Most of my work is done in the evening, so while I am clicking away on my computer my husband deals with the stall-tactics, the decision of which book and stuffed animal to take to bed and the newest thing to throw a wrench into the routine…SpongeBob mouthwash.

My husband has managed, after a long day at work, to turn this time into something fun.  There are races to the top of the steps, shoulder rides and the Mom’s-chest-pain-inducing-toss-the-tiny-kid-onto-the-bed-from-across-the-room-adventure.

So with all of these shenanigans, it was no surprise the other night to hear my son declare, “Daddy!  Let’s play the opposite game.”  My husband was quick to oblige.

I laughed as I listened to them go back and forth, with my husband telling our son to, “Hold your pee”, “Put your clothes on” and “Don’t brush your teeth”.

My son answered all yes-questions with a firm, “No” and everything that should have been a denial was met with a jolly, “Yes!”

As usual, my husband had turned bedtime into something giggle inducing.

After a few minutes, I heard my husband say, “Okay, buddy.  Don’t say goodnight to your mother.”

Which is when the game came to an abrupt halt.

Because as I climbed the stairs to meet my son halfway, he greeted me with a smile and outstretched arms for a big nighttime hug and he said, “Good morning, Mom.  I hate you so much.”

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    Comments

  • SurprisedMom


    Kudos to your husband for making bedtime so much fun for your son! And of course for easing your burden.

    Your son really gets into the "opposite game, doesn't he. He's a character! Whatever makes bedtime easier. . .

  • WeaselMomma


    How fun! The Weasels occasionally play this game, but I can never handle it for longer than 5 minutes.

  • Irish Gumbo


    Kudos to the kid. It is a good thing to have a firm grasp of the rules of that game 🙂

  • Melisa with one S


    What an overachiever you're raising. 🙂

  • Lanned


    Wow. What a brilliant little boy. He's really got that game whipped.

  • Tom


    That is brilliant, classic, daddy tactic at its finest! Great stuff.

  • WineRackWoman


    I "like-this-a-lot" for a reason different from the punchline. 🙂

  • Sarah


    I may have a little crush on your husband. I am a sucker for good dads.

  • UP


    Smart man!
    Lucky gal!
    Still think the kid needs an agent!

    UP

  • meleah rebeccah


    Aw! I love the "opposite game"! Sounds like your husband is going a GREAT JOB making bedtime fun!

  • Oscar


    What a guy! Looks like he took a chore and turned it into fun.

    Your little guy always make me smile!

  • Heather


    I love that! He is adorably precious!

  • Tara R.


    That boy of yours is such a sweetie. Good for dad in finding a way to make bedtime fun.

  • Amie


    This is horrible. What a terrible idea. I hate your blog. (see? I can play the opposite game too!)

  • I'm Crayon


    THAT is the skill we parents should be required to have before we're allowed to take them home from the hospital!

  • NYCPatty


    Your boys are awesome!

    Happy New Year! xoxo

  • Otter Thomas


    That's awesome. He's definitely a keeper. It took me quite a while to learn some good tactics to deal with stalling and insubordination.