Mom is the Boss (no matter what language you speak!)

One of the things I've said to the kids in the past that has stuck with them is that "mom is the boss". Usually, this is used in situations where I don't feel like entering negotiations with a 3-year-old and 5-year-old. Now, the kids use it on each other when they think I'm on "their side" about something. If I agree with Aidan, he tells Lainey "you know, Lainey, Mom's the boss" and vice versa.

This is funny in it's own right, but last Friday as we were leaving the pool after Aidan's swim lesson, the phrase became even more popular with the kids. Lainey was having a fit about me not letting her get a lick-pop (lollypop for those who don't speak Lainey-ese). Aidan was ignoring her and gathering his things. As I was just about to pick her up and tote her out of the building, a little girl comes up to us and says "Die Mutter ist das Chef". I must have looked at the girl a little funny, because she repeated herself and sure enough, she said the same thing again. I couldn't believe it! "Die Mutter ist das Chef" translates to "The mother is the boss"!

I hadn't said anything to Lainey and neither had Aidan, so this girl couldn't have any idea that she was repeating a common phrase in our house, but in German! At least we know that it's universal that moms are in charge around here.

(By the way, the other funny common phrase the kids picked up from me is "Mom is not an octopus!". I said this one time when they both wanted me to do a bunch of things all at once. Now anytime I'm busy and Aidan asks me for something, Lainey tells him "Mommy is not an octopus". Too cute.)