Monday, 18th January 2010.

Shoe on the other foot

Proof, as if any were needed, that my eldest son is an extremely competent mimic.

Saturday afternoon, and I'm tidying the master bedroom, while Joshua mooches around. We keep a large sleeping bag in there for the times when he gets restless in the small hours, and wants to be in bed with us. I have no problem with having him cuddle up, but Josh is such a wriggler that no one gets any sleep. Putting him in the bag is an acceptable compromise: he wriggles, we sleep and everyone is happy, at least until Daniel wakes up.

I am shovelling paper into the waste bin when I notice Joshua pulling the bag over his head, wearing it like an absurd polyester condom. The last thing I see before his head disappears is a wolfish grin.

"Josh?" I say, turning away from the bin. "Joshua?"
Giggling.
"Oh no," I continue, deciding to play along. "Now, where could he be? Is he hiding?"
More giggling.
"Well, I suppose I'd better keep putting things away,. I say. "Then maybe I'll be able to find him. Perhaps I'll start with this sleeping bag."

I hoist up the sleeping bag, which begins to wriggle furiously.
"Gosh, it's heavy. And it seems to be moving - hey, wait a minute! Who's in here? It's Joshua!"

The bag comes off, and it is at this point that he bursts into tears.

"Joshua," I say, mortified, "what on earth is the matter?"
Sobbing, sniffling.
"Did you honestly think I was going to put you in the cupboard?"
"Y-y-yes!"
"But why? Because I picked you up?"
Sniffling, nodding.
"Listen to me," I said, "You know I'd never do that. I was just playing a little trick on you, like you were with me."
"Why did you do that?" he asked, through more sniffling.
"Erm, I thought it would be funny." I now couldn't imagine why.
"Well, it wasn't."
"OK, then. I'm sorry."
"That's all right," he replies, wiping his nose on a sleeve. "Now, what have we learned from this?"

You're going to reap just what you sow...