Level of difficulty: Hard to Why-do-I-even-bother-to-get-out-of-bed Hard.
Loulabelle is a closet blankie lover. She is not one to carry her blankie to many places. Most of you probably have never seen "blankie". She is content to keep it at home or in the car. But try and wash it and you have yourself WW3.
I know I am not alone in this.
I couldn't take it anymore. It was FILTHY...beyond filthy. I had to do something. Today was the day. The only hard thing was stealing it away from her unnoticed.
My first approach was to tell her the truth about her blankie and it's lack of hygiene. The minute I said washing machine, Lou produced enough tears to actually give the blanket a good soaking.
Oh, the drama!
But alas, my resolve was stronger than her resistance. I will wash the blankie which has started to mildew from the flood of tears and spit and snot. Forget the truth, I am going for the bribe.
TV for blankie..."NO!"
Play a game with mommy while blankie has a bath...."My BLANKIE!"
Go for a walk..."NO, NO, NO!"
All the M&M's you can eat...."Can I still have M&Ms if you don't wash blankie?"
Paint your toenails..."BLLLLAAAAANNNNKKKKIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!"
Well, bribing did not work. She is one tough negotiator, meaning she never negotiates. But I am still smarter and more determined than ever. This blanket will get clean. TODAY.
Time for school pickup and she starts to load the car with none other than blankie. She makes one last addition of 3 bears, 2 babies and Candy Land to take with us for the 10 minute drive. As she hauled half her bedroom into the car, I ever so slyly tucked blankie into my purse. Buckled her in, took purse inside and dumped the blasted blankie in the washer. HA!!
Mission accomplished.
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"Moooommmmmm? Where's blankie?"
"Oops, I guess we forgot it!" I say smugly as I eat all the M&Ms I want!
12 comments:
LOL! I love it. You are one crafty momma.
Too Too funny!
We have the same struggle, lucky for me I purchased a duplicate 'blankie' that I switch out for wash time.
Although currently she has both and YES they are dirty!
Hahaha.....we moms have to be sneaky....if only we could count the many missions impossible that we somehow accomplish.......we'd probably all be surprised!!!! *grin*
That is a funny one!
I, too, have a duplicate blanket for Will. His favorite part is the tag, don't know what we'll do when that wears out!
She really is a hard sell if she turned down M&M's.
janelle...great post. you really are a gifted writer. keep it up! oh, and good job on your mission. very impressive work!
Oh how I can relate!!! My secret is sneaking it out of their beds after they're asleep, washing it, drying it, and returning it, all in one evening. And your right about her being a "closet blankie lover!" I didn't even know she had a blankie until she played over here the other day. When the girls settled in to watch TV, she asked for it. I was confused, thinking "Lou has a blankie?" and then wall-la, she pulled it out of her adorable personalized bag. (which also contained candy land that day!) The girls were too cute with their blankies, snuggled on the couch, and watching Dora!
I did the "smart" thing and bought a duplicate blankie. Then I did the "opposite-of-smart" thing and let him have both of them at the same time.
So now? HE WANTS BOTH TAGGIE BLANKIES - ONE IN EACH HAND.
Oops. Does this mean I need to buy two replacement blankies?
It is pretty cute to see him toddle out of his room after his nap with a blankie in each hand.
Way to go, Super Mom! You outsmarted the crafties of foes. :)
I think sneakiness is part of the mothering job description. If bribing and bargaining don't work first that is.
Kate
Good for you. You said you were going to wash it and you did. Sometimes it isn't possible to have 2 special blankies. Way to go Super mom!
That is hysterical!!!! Did you enjoy all those M&M's in front of her? So now we need to know how she felt once she realized it was in the washer...Did you show her how much better it looked and smelled? I didn't have the 2 blankie system either, but I would sneak it away at night and wash it while they slept.
I have to confess we have had the same issue. I finally had to sneak it away at night and wash it also. What is it that makes a smelly, dirty blanket so special?
So funny! I am taking notes every time I read your blog for when my kids get a bit older.
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