I absolutely love this song! It’s everything a mom says in a day condensed into 2 1/2 minutes and set to music (William Tell Overture).

One phrase I find myself saying a lot lately is, “Because I said so.” I never thought I would resort to this conversation stopper. I always figured I’d explain lovingly and patiently why kids shouldn’t eat candy for breakfast or leap from their beds to grab the ceiling fan cord. And then my kids would listen, comprehend, and accept. Maybe they might even say, “Okay, mommy,” in a chirpy voice. Strangely, the reality of my life is much different. Witness this recent conversation between me and my son:

Me: “Put on your red coat. It’s cold outside.”

My son: “I don’t want to wear the red coat. I want to wear my power coat.” (The power coat is an orange windbreaker with contrasting piping lines that indicate power.)

Me: “It’s too cold for the power coat. Put on your red coat.”

My son, loudly: “NO! I want to wear my POWER COAT!”

Me, patiently: “Sweetie, it’s much too cold for the power coat. If you go out to recess today at school, you’ll be cold.”

My son: “We don’t have recess, we just have the playground.”

Me, holding out the red coat: “Okay.”

My son, in whiny tone: “Why can’t I wear my power coat?”

Me: “Because it’s too cold for the power coat.”

My son: “Why? Why is it too cold for the power coat?”

Me, not so patiently: “Because it is.”

My son: “WHYYYYYYY?”

Me: “Because I said so.”

My son: “But MOMMYYYYYY”

And here is where “Because I said so” fails me and I am forced to borrow the Nike slogan, best said through gritted teeth: “Just do it.”

Last 5 posts by OrganizerMom

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