The Lie

Of my 2 boys, Rascal is the easiest to read. Maybe he’s just the one that gets himself into more trouble. When Rascal is up to no good it’s written all over his face. I can walk into a room and immediately see the “I’m busted” look in his eyes. Of course, it’s usually seen in connection with a sheepishly unsolicited “I love you Mom” blurted out the moment he sees me. He knows he shouldn’t do something, does it anyway, and then can’t contain the guilt.

Until yesterday.

The boys had been playing with Lego Mosaics at the kitchen table. Lego Mosaics consist of just those tiny one dot Legos that scatter everywhere and I end up sucking them up in my vacuum.

After about an hour busily and studiously making Lego masterpieces, they decided to take a break and wanted to watch TV for a bit. We decided to leave their works of art on the table so we could continue them later.

While on the couch watching TV, I noticed that Rascal was chewing on 2 little Legos. I immediately (and harshly) told him to get them out of his mouth and put them back on the table. He (harshly) told me he was “wasn't going to chew them, just going to hold them”. Not wanting to find tiny Legos in my couch a week from now (or poking my butt later that night) I demanded he put them back on the table RIGHT NOW. A screaming match between the two of us ensued. Finally, he stomped into the kitchen, hollering a 4 year old’s version of obscenities at me the entire way, and then stomped back to the couch where Dom and I were waiting. He continued to mutter at me and said his version of “There, they’re in the kitchen now, you happy woman??” I thanked him for (finally) cooperating and we all cozied up to watch the rest of the Backyardigans.

Half way into the show I noticed Rascal had his hands in his pockets. He seemed to be fidgeting with something. What’s he got? Oh yes, he’s got the Legos in his pocket. The ones that I had asked him to put away. The ones he screamed and yelled about and marched into the kitchen in dramatic fashion to put away. The ones he bold face lied to me and said he did put away. Those Legos.

And I didn’t even pick up on it.

This was the first time he really lied to me. It’s one thing for him to say “I love you Mom” when I walk in to his room, see he’s completely naked and ask him what he’s up to - and discover that he's peed in his toy box (true story). It’s another thing to be told to do something, pretend you did it, say you did it, and then continue on knowing you’re doing something wrong.

My heart hurt. I feel like I am raising a “14 year old 4 year old”.

Where's this great commercial from the 80's when I need it?!