One of the joys of parenting comes when you see your child use some skill you’ve taught them. During these moments a parent realizes that their work of imparting life-lessons to their children has not been wasted.

 

That was the case yesterday…kind of. 

 

When the boys get on each others nerves, because one won’t leave the other alone, we tell them to ask for “space.”

 

Our 2 year old JT was having a tough time leaving Q, our oldest, alone. Eventually this escalated into the boys running through the house, with Q screaming, “I need space…I need space. Papi, I need space!” 

 

After the fourth or fifth lap around the kitchen I told JT to leave his brother alone. “Q needs space,” I said.

 

“Yea, I need space,” Q repeated and walked into the bedroom.

 

“I need space,” JT echoed, not to be outdone.

 

Well at least their using their words, I thought. Then I heard Q yell from his room, “I need space, JT. You wanna have space together?”

 

Yes, lesson learned.