I remember having a similar, one sided conversation with my son, many years ago on the same subject…just before he and his dad went shopping :-) This brought back a good memory!
We once bought a cake to surprise my Mom for her birthday, telling my 4 year old sister it was a secret and not to tell her. As soon as Mom walked in the door, Sis blurted out “When can we cut the cake?!?!?” In her eyes, she didn’t tell Mom we had a cake—she just wanted to know when she could have some!
I was assistant children’s choir director in my church a while ago. The head director was getting married and leaving, so I arranged to get a present and a card for the kids to sign and give her as a surprise in church the last time they sang with her. They all knew about it two weeks in advance and I was sure one of them would blab, but afterwards she told me it had taken her completely by surprise. I was amazed.
Well, to a three year old still getting the hang of language I suppose “telling” could mean “saying out loud”, and a “secret” could be “something you whisper”. So from her point of view, she might have been doing exactly what you told her to do.
One time I told Santa Claus in front of my Mother what she wanted for Christmas. My Dad was missing overseas and I over heard the conversation so I asked Santa Claus if he could bring Dad back or at least give my Mother some news. One Christmas Eve who walks in but my Dad safe and sound. Okay, I guess that was a secret that was okay to tell Santa, but it worked!
I took my little granddaughter into a store to buy a birthday present for her mom. After I convinced her that her mom didn’t need a toy, we settled on a pretty blue scarf. When we walked out of the store my daughter pulled up in her car. My granddaughter runs to her mom & says" We bought you a present. It’s not a guitar or a book. It’s a scarf." I said, “Sophie, I told you not to tell her.” She responded, “Well, I didn’t tell her what color….its blue!”
My nephew went with his dad to get a Christmas gift for his mom. It was back in the 70’s when blue mountain pottery was popular. The item was a Canada goose and he didn’t tell her, but for days she wondered why he’d go around the house singing “canada goooooose….canada goose” lol
I don’t recall any Canadian kid who didn’t have parcel in their vocabulary – exempting infants, of course. It means any rectilinear container small enough to be carried by an adult without danger.
When my parents celebrated their 25th anniversary, all 7 of us kids pitched in to give them a surprise party at a hall. My younger brother was 3 at the time. His “job” was inviting our neighbors. One would think that he would be so proud of that responsibility – and of doing it right – that he would tell…but he never did. He never slipped and told about the party, or even hinted. He knew it was a surprise and they couldn’t know ahead of time. At age 11, I was the one to almost give it away, but it was only because I wasn’t paying attention when I was sealing the other invitation cards and my mother almost walked in on me! The end result was that my parents were completely surprised.
Canadian kids more advanced?US kids get faulted for lack of geographical knowledge, but I took a trip to Canada in 1967 and had heard about the Welland Canal, one of North Americas biggest engineering projects.(By pass around Niagara Falls)Asked a waitress at the diner how far we were from the canal.She gave me a blank look.Less than a mile down the road, there it was!
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
He’s as bad as his sister is! sigh
arye uygur over 11 years ago
@SUSAN NEWMAN: Chag same’ach shel Chanukah (From Arye Uygur in Miami)
flowerladytoo over 11 years ago
I remember having a similar, one sided conversation with my son, many years ago on the same subject…just before he and his dad went shopping :-) This brought back a good memory!
Deezlebird over 11 years ago
We once bought a cake to surprise my Mom for her birthday, telling my 4 year old sister it was a secret and not to tell her. As soon as Mom walked in the door, Sis blurted out “When can we cut the cake?!?!?” In her eyes, she didn’t tell Mom we had a cake—she just wanted to know when she could have some!
neatslob Premium Member over 11 years ago
I was assistant children’s choir director in my church a while ago. The head director was getting married and leaving, so I arranged to get a present and a card for the kids to sign and give her as a surprise in church the last time they sang with her. They all knew about it two weeks in advance and I was sure one of them would blab, but afterwards she told me it had taken her completely by surprise. I was amazed.
prrdh over 11 years ago
Well, to a three year old still getting the hang of language I suppose “telling” could mean “saying out loud”, and a “secret” could be “something you whisper”. So from her point of view, she might have been doing exactly what you told her to do.
paulcfx over 11 years ago
I don’t think I ever met a child Michael’s age that used the word “parcel.” Must be the Canadian in him.
loves raising duncan over 11 years ago
One time I told Santa Claus in front of my Mother what she wanted for Christmas. My Dad was missing overseas and I over heard the conversation so I asked Santa Claus if he could bring Dad back or at least give my Mother some news. One Christmas Eve who walks in but my Dad safe and sound. Okay, I guess that was a secret that was okay to tell Santa, but it worked!
kaylawil over 11 years ago
I took my little granddaughter into a store to buy a birthday present for her mom. After I convinced her that her mom didn’t need a toy, we settled on a pretty blue scarf. When we walked out of the store my daughter pulled up in her car. My granddaughter runs to her mom & says" We bought you a present. It’s not a guitar or a book. It’s a scarf." I said, “Sophie, I told you not to tell her.” She responded, “Well, I didn’t tell her what color….its blue!”
juderso over 11 years ago
My nephew went with his dad to get a Christmas gift for his mom. It was back in the 70’s when blue mountain pottery was popular. The item was a Canada goose and he didn’t tell her, but for days she wondered why he’d go around the house singing “canada goooooose….canada goose” lol
QuietStorm27 over 11 years ago
This is why my 7 year old doesn’t know anyone’s gift ahead of time unless it’s also from her.
tbritt99 over 11 years ago
Ah the innocence of youth.
hippogriff over 11 years ago
I don’t recall any Canadian kid who didn’t have parcel in their vocabulary – exempting infants, of course. It means any rectilinear container small enough to be carried by an adult without danger.
punslinger over 11 years ago
I hope to God for Canada’s sake Michael doesn’t choose a career in the CSIS!
Rodney99 over 11 years ago
“Sharp as a bowling ball…”
Can't Sleep over 11 years ago
“Kids” and “secrets” do not mix. Ever. But is is fun trying.
meowlin over 11 years ago
I’d love to see the Mythbusters test that one out…
Gretchen's Mom over 11 years ago
It’s a well-known fact that kids and secrets — especially at Christmas time — just don’t mix!
;-)
MAC45 over 11 years ago
:-)
Wren Fahel over 11 years ago
When my parents celebrated their 25th anniversary, all 7 of us kids pitched in to give them a surprise party at a hall. My younger brother was 3 at the time. His “job” was inviting our neighbors. One would think that he would be so proud of that responsibility – and of doing it right – that he would tell…but he never did. He never slipped and told about the party, or even hinted. He knew it was a surprise and they couldn’t know ahead of time. At age 11, I was the one to almost give it away, but it was only because I wasn’t paying attention when I was sealing the other invitation cards and my mother almost walked in on me! The end result was that my parents were completely surprised.
tuslog64 over 11 years ago
Canadian kids more advanced?US kids get faulted for lack of geographical knowledge, but I took a trip to Canada in 1967 and had heard about the Welland Canal, one of North Americas biggest engineering projects.(By pass around Niagara Falls)Asked a waitress at the diner how far we were from the canal.She gave me a blank look.Less than a mile down the road, there it was!