I remember taking one of those random getting to know you quizzes awhile back and one of the questions was something like “what is one phrase you say often?”

Naturally, I drew a blank. With no one else home to ask (or who had the vocabulary to understand much less respond), I remember choosing “whatever”.

I’ve now figured out what it is.

Toddlers are like little monkeys. They follow you. When you stop to turn around, they are there, staring at you, observing you. They are watching you when you don’t think they are watching you. Sometimes, they pick their butts. Others, they pick up your bad habits. (Which is worse here, do you think?)

When I get up in the morning and head downstairs, Charlie immediately starts barking. With everyone in the house still asleep, I hiss STOP IT!!! as loud as I can while still maintaining a whisper, before letting them outside. When Miles pounds on the keys of the computer, I say “stop it buddy”. When Abby throws her cup on the floor for the millionth time I tell her “stop it”. During a few of Miles’ mystery tantrums, I’ve uttered more than once – you guessed it – stop it.

A few days ago, Miles started uttering something I couldn’t quite understand. Something about a bite? a bit? Then we came home from Publix this past Saturday. Abby got tangled up in her balloon and started to cry. Miles said it again and this time, I heard it perfectly.

Stop it.

Later, a dog barks outside.

Stop it.

Monday morning, Charlie barks.

Stop it.

Chance licks Miles’s face.

Stop it.

I type on the computer

Stop it.

I suppose it could be much worse. At least he isn’t hitting or swearing or something.

It isn’t like it’s going to help if I tell him to stop it.

Mommy created a stop it monster. It is me.
Mommy created a stop it monster. It is me.