The boys are playing Legos in the next room and Jeremy is working steadily on building his castle. Jack, in his laziness, wants Jeremy to build one for him.
“Jack, you have to build your own castle,” he says.
“No, you build it,” says Jackson.
“No, I’m not building your castle,” says Jeremy. “You have to learn how to do it yourself. You have to grow up, Jack.”
“I don’t wanna grow up. You build my castle.”
“You can’t have people doing stuff for you forever. You have to grow up and stop being a toddler,” Jeremy says.
“I’M NOT A TODDLER. I’m six!” he protests.
“Then build your own castle!” says Jeremy.
“No, YOU build it for me,” says Jack, more firmly now.
“Jackson,” Jeremy sighs. “You have to learn how to do these things on your own. Mom doesn’t want you living here forever. I only have ten years left here and I’m learning how to do things for myself. You have move out some day and need to know how to build your own stuff with Legos.”
Jackson bursts into tears, saying, “I don’t want to move out!”
“Well we have to,” Jeremy says, most seriously. “Mom and Dad already said.”
“Please build my castle,” Jack asks sweetly between sobs.
“Fine, but next time ask nicely,” says Jeremy. “I’ll build you a ship but that’s it. But if you want a castle, you’re building your own.”
“Okay, build me a ship.”
I would build Jackson’s castle.
This kind of made me tear up for some reason. :~(
While you were tearing up, I was laughing! We’re raising men in this house, not boys. These guys need to learn how to build their own castles 🙂
I love this! And I did tear up too. The conversations kids have when they think we don’t hear them are the best 🙂
I agree. The things I overhear are always better than the things said when it’s planned.