I am a long-winded parent. I’ve talked (at length!) about this with a few other parent friends. When I “no” is enough, I launch into reasons why. When the infuriating “because” will do, I explain. My kids glaze; they give a rote “yes” when I ask if they understand. Do I care if they understand why? Not usually. I just want them to quit throwing sand.

Anyway. Sometimes I make a list of things I say to my kids. What gets repeated. It’s a snapshot of our particular parent-child dynamic for the week (month, year). The phrases change. “Go back to bed” used to get a lot of play time but since our bedtime routine is settled now, not so much. But other phrases stick. The following is a just-for-fun pantoum of oft-repeated things I say to my kids.

Also, I Love You

Hey, come here
I said no
Because you could get hurt
Be careful

I said no
Be kind
Be careful
Have fun

Be kind
Mean what you say
Have fun
Okay, go

Mean what you say
Because you could get hurt
Okay, go
Hey, come here

And, to play with how it looks on the page, cutting stanza breaks:

Also, I Love You

Hey, come here
I said no
Because you could get hurt
Be careful
I said no
Be kind
Be careful
Have fun
Be kind
Mean what you say
Have fun
Okay, go
Mean what you say
Because you could get hurt
Okay, go
Hey, come here