The Power of "No"

I used the hated word again, and this was the response I received:

Heathen #3 - utterly disappointed in my response to his request.

Heathens believe I use this word simply to make them miserable. That I enjoy their agony and misery. That I am always on a "power trip" and that I use this word without thought or consideration. 

All parents know this word - although I'm sure there are many who use it far less (and some that use it far more) than I utilize it. 

NO. 

I remember my own parents using the hated word and thinking them completely unreasonable. And now, that is the role I play in the Heathens' lives. 

Someday, they will (hopefully) understand that it is a word used for teaching so many important things to small heathens everywhere. It starts as a word meant to keep them safe, and then progresses to being used to squash unacceptable behavior. It is used to set limits - to create safe boundaries for growth at every age. 

I love the age span in my Heathens. Sometimes, I believe it is all that keeps me sane. At any given point, since the third Heathen's birth, I live with the "before, during, and after" of every age. The oldest obviously does everything first and the Asst. Zookeeper and I wage battle against whatever behavior/ milestone is reached - we are a tenacious pair. 

The middle Heathen then reaches the same stage, and we have the "after" version to look at. Usually, it gives us hope that the battle can be won. Sometimes, we decide on different tactics, but the battle is still waged. And we have a "before" that we look at and hope doesn't hit this particular stage. We hold out hope for an "easy" period without battle on one of our three fronts. 

But, at least for tonight, this battle is won on behalf of the Zookeeper. NO. Heathen #3 cannot stay up a little bit later. And the battle is won because the Heathen accepted his NO with gracious silence, his head down on the arm of the couch, and a quiet, "Yes, ma'am."  The battle of arguing our point and yelling at a parent to try and win has been abandoned on the Heathen's part. 

Next time he asks, I may just have to say YES.