Noah Isn't Here

Noah is a name that's been dropped pretty often around our house these days.

But we're not talking the Biblical Noah, or the kid in Colin's class by that name; this Noah is trouble, and when he comes around, somebody's in for it. Namely, me. Because "he" DRIVES. ME. CRRRAZY.

See, usually my kids do everything I say just tell me "noooo." The other day, though - out of the blue - Colin's usual whiny "n-with-infinite-o's" had a tag-along: uhhhhh. 

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Nooooooo-uhhhhhhhh!" he whiiiiiiiiined.

And right then it was like somebody had touched a raw nerve. Most whines roll right off me, like water off a duck's back - those don't deserve acknowledgement. But this particular type of whine, in this particular tone, just annoyed me to no end. I had to nip this one in the bud. But how?

Right then, as if by divine intervention, I got an idea. It was a light-bulb moment if I ever had one, y'all. I put on my best face of exaggerated surprise and ran to look (over)eagerly out the window. "Oh my goodness!" I trilled. "Noah's here?! How exciting!" 

Colin's reaction was priceless. He looked like somebody slapped him - then dissolved into a fit of giggles. Then asked me to say it again.

I'm not sure where he picked this irritating little addition up, but I don't like my "no's" with extra "uhhh." Hearing the abbreviated version is bad enough. All I know is that every time he slips up, I just have to ask if Noah's in the building and he instantly drops the whine - and, often, complies with whatever I'm requesting with no further protest (insert Hallelujah chorus here). I'm noticing, thankfully, that "Noah" is visiting less and less. And that's totally worth looking a little silly for.

What do your kids do that touches THAT nerve?