Last night while getting the kids ready for bed, both boys were so out-of-control with energy that I told them both to get out of pajamas, get normal clothes on, & run laps in the backyard.
They both had wildly different responses during the act.
My 4y/o was first. After running 2 laps, he said he was tired, but I told him to run 1 more just in case and he got very upset with me, so I held his hand and ran it with him.
Then it was my 6y/o’s turn and I figured I’d try to set similar expectations for him.
6y/o: Dad, can you time me??
Me: Oh, uh, yeah that’s fine.
(He runs the whole lap.)
6y/o: Okay how did I do?
Me: 30 seconds. Good job.
6y/o:….time me again.
Me: Okay.
(He finishes another lap.)
6y/o: What did I get?
Me: 32 seconds this time. Not bad.
6y/o: What???? I wanted to beat my old score… time me again.
(He runs a lap again)
Me: Hey! You did 27 seconds this time. Well done.
6y/o:…..Good.
Me: You getting tired?
6y/o:….um… no I want to run another lap. Don’t time me this time.
Me: Well, okay.
(He then runs 3 more laps without stopping.)
6y/o: OKAY! I think… I’m ready… for bed.
Me: Alright.
6y/o: I want to do this every night.
Me: Oh. Well yeah that sounds great actually.
6y/o: I want to get to where I can run TWENTY laps.
LOL.
I accidentally unlocked some sort of beast mode in my oldest son.