House Code

"Shhhh! Capuchin is sleeping." translation: "Stomp as hard as you can with each step, run through the house as fast as you can and scream at the top of your lungs!"

"(Insert kid name here), would you please....." translation:  "Put your fingers in your ears, hum as loud as you can, just do something to avoid hearing what I'm about to ask you to do."

"No." translation: "Ask again in two minutes then when I say no again rephrase it just a little and continue to ask every two minutes until mama blows her lid."

"Put your shoes on." translation: "We're leaving so do everything you can think of that does not involve us getting a smidgen closer to getting out the door."

"Pick up your toys." translation: "......."



I read quite a bit of this book around the time Howler was born. It's useful, but honestly I don't think there's any way around miscommunication when it comes to children no matter how much you try to prepare and be an attentive parent.

How about you? Have any good house codes to share?