to just do the thing that DD said?

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Because I said yes and then realised I had tuned her out?

She is 9, lovely, sweet and not a piss taker. We talk a lot but I do tune a fair bit out, especially since the Apocalypse. I have 6 kids, you kind of have to do this to survive. Its not that I dont care but there really is only so much you can take in!

So today we had a chat and then I was ..... fuck it. I was on MN. And I got the noise but not the words and then she said "Can we do that when lockdown is over?" So I said yes as I couldnt bear to ask her wtf I was agreeing to. And now she is planning "it". Whatever the hell "it" is!

I mentioned it to mum on the phone and she came up with all sorts of ways to find out what it is, but I am thinking we should just do it. A) to assuage my guilt and B) because it could be fun!

I was also thinking that I make her project manager so if its a home based thing she gives me a shopping list and if its out and about she gives me directions.....

What do we think?

I thought puppy too

Could be worse, might be a pony!

@AntennaReborn - I did end up with a swimming pool a few weeks back - a bloody inflatable 12 foot one! But that was because I tuned out while DP was talking to me ... that's what he came back from Argos with and apparently I agreed to it 🤷‍♀️🤣

I take my hat off to anyone who can genuinely say they haven’t tuned their family out at some point in the last few months. I would be a wreck if I’d tried to actively listen to everything that’s been wittered at me.

It’s a puppy. Possibly kittens? Or something enormous and unsightly for the back garden eyes own trampoline

You’re getting a puppy!

Just saying that I remember me and my siblings would target our DM whilst cleaning, we knew she would say yes to get us out of the room/off the floors/ so she could finish tidying it up and had little clue as to what we said.

Oh and you'll be camping in the garden when lockdown is over, with junk food and a projector for an outdoor film. Well, you did say you would.

Sod the puppy - I reckon the horse will be arriving any day now.

@Mothership4two

I thought puppy too

Could be worse, might be a pony!

Or worse still, she's found a snake and wants to keep it.

Little Mix concert. TikTok convention. Fortnite subscription. AND a puppy. 😂

It's the next day. Just say "remind me what it was that we're going to do after lockdown? I've totally forgotten"

That would be totally normal in my family. I have a memory like a sieve.

Hope it's not a polar bear. I've gotta tune those fuckers out - they make dolphins look cute. And they can chase you on land. Eviler fuckers.

It's easy.
Tell her to talk to you about her plans.
That way you find out what the thing was and you can rein in any worrying expectations.
Try not to zone out this time.

And the parent mantra should be to say no to everything. Not yes.

Remember: NO.

At worst, ask why you should say yes.

Place marking what you have agreed to.

You are going to climb a very tall tree or go and see elephants in the wild - just been googling Mister Maker. Also I want to know the answer.

I would ask her to go over the plans.

Definitely ask how her plans are going, or ask another adult to ask her!

I don't tune my children out... I hide in the kitchen instead and bribe them to stay in the lounge.

You're going to the States to swim with the dolphins

@LunaNorth

You’re so getting a puppy...

I tune out the older one sometimes too (also 9. And could literally talk the hind leg off a donkey, probably on the subject of the merits of various minecraft weapons). The youngest I can tune out, but definitely can't risk ever saying a blind 'yes' to, so I'm naturally more careful with the older one too, and would have had him repeat the plan (even though it would probably have been nothing major)

You're past that point though..... and probably building a pyriamid for the cats out of cardboard in the garden or something... but Lweiji has it - just ask her to show you her plan, and you'll find out what you've been let in for :D

Oh I have done this so many times. It's worse as they get older as they notice and then make you feel really shit for not listening.

I think you are going to Disneyworld Florida OP

Have a lovely two week holiday at Disneyland!

Next time she's bored or at a loose end, you could say 'oh why don't you write a plan/story about the lovely thing we're going to do when lockdown is over!'

And for those perfect parents who never tune out their children.... really?

Oh we have all tuned out (and agreed to something).

My eldest has ASD and is utterly mono-manic about whatever his current obsession is (currently Ro-bloody-blox).

Anyway... you know you agreed to take all the extended family to Euro Disney including the pet goldfish don't you?

Oh - that will teach me to just read the Ops post and then post!

Disney has alreayd been suggested!

Maybe she was testing out a theory that you don’t always listen to her and is now planning a rave in your garden, advertised globally to anyone who can make it.