Updated: Aug. 21, 2015
Originally Published: Feb. 21, 2011
The little ones are everywhere around me. I find myself spending about 20 hours a day ensuring they make it to tomorrow. Some days are a breeze—like school days, or the moment my partner installed baby gates on the stairs, or when both the baby and the 4-year-old napped at the same time.
Then there are days that test my limits: the day the baby discovered the toilet bowl, when my 9-year-old forgot his homework at school, or the day when all I craved was a shower (which I never got). As the sun sets, my patience starts to dwindle. I transition from a cheerful Mary Poppins to a somewhat frazzled Cruella De Vil in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, the questions come in rapid-fire succession, and I find myself tossing out “No” like a major league pitcher on opening day. “But WHHHYYY, MOMMMYYY?”
Because I said so.
It’s a phrase that feels utterly absurd. Because I said so? What kind of nonsense is that? After all the time I invest in my kids—reading to them, playing games, constructing things together—my goal is to nurture critical thinkers, children who will grow up to be thoughtful adults. Yet, in moments of exhaustion, I find myself losing my cool, and all that hard work seems to vanish.
Because I said so.
It’s as if they’ve all turned into little Veruca Salts, demanding their Oompa Loompas “NOW!” Instead of engaging their imaginations, I often find myself simply saying, “No. Because I said so.” Why? Because I’m worn out. Because I’m tired of having to justify every decision to someone who barely reaches my waist. Because the demands are relentless and I’m just not up for it anymore.
So, right now? The answer is no. Because I said so. You might have better luck asking for that same ridiculous request in the morning—unless, of course, you keep me up all night.
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In summary, parenting is a whirlwind of joy and frustration, filled with countless demands and decisions. It’s a balancing act of nurturing young minds while managing the daily chaos. Sometimes, saying “because I said so” is simply a way to cope amid the delightful chaos of family life.