Oct 19 2007
I Breaka da I
Last night, I went out to dinner with two friends visiting from out of town. When I returned home at 1030, Zeke was waiting up for me. I thought it was just his normal night owl sleep delay tactics, but I was wrong. He was waiting up to report his wrongdoing that occurred while I was gone. He came running up to give me a hug. Then, when I was carrying him up the stairs, he told me very seriously, “I breaka da I.” Thinking he was talking about the letter I puzzle piece, I asked him if he dropped it or smashed it or pulled it. He said he pulled it and I asked him what he did then. He replied, “I give it to Grandpa.” I asked if Grandpa fixed it and he said, “No. Grandpa no fix it.” I put him to bed, came downstairs, and my Mom gave me the debriefing. Ezekiel had somehow pulled the I key off of Dale’s laptop. So, he knew it was a serious I breaka da I and felt at the age of 3 that it was vital to “admit when you’ve done something wrong and take responsibility for your actions.” Apparently, my lectures have gotten through to one of my kids.
If I had done it, I would have fixed it a never told anyone that it was broken in the first place.
If Mugs had done it, she would have called tech support.
If Josiah had done it, he wouldn’t have said anything until Abby got in trouble.
If Abby had done it, she would have tried to claim it wasn’t really her fault.
If Gabe had done it, he would have blamed the laptop for being too fragile.
I think Zeke is an A1 champ for having admitted to “breaka da I”. I raised four boys and the rule in our house was, “if you do something wrong and tell me the truth, I can’t promise you won’t get in trouble, but if you do something wrong and lie to me I promise you, 1) I will find out and 2) you will then be in serious trouble!” No corporal punishment if they told the truth; they told the truth, well, most of the time…