Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Grownup Talk Around Kids

Jeff and I have always spelled words to keep the kids out of the loop. But now that 4-year-old Jacob can read, how are we supposed to hide stuff -- he can break the code?!

"Hey Honey, we can take the kids to the p-a-r-k today."

"We're going to the PARK?!" my four-year-old belts out.

UGH.

Spelling has been the one thing that has kept the kids from infiltrating our grownup conversations. In fact, I have another mom friend (you know who you are) who I practically spell everything with when having a play date with our kids.

"Did you see K-A-T-E at the party? Are she and D-A-V-I-D getting a d-i-v-o-r-c-e? He is an a-s-s."

Now that Jake is obsessed with reading, spelling and anything phonics, he'll just jump into the conversations with an energetic "A-S-S spells... Ass! What's an ass?"

Yeah, I get it. I need to stop.

I'm thrilled that he's bright and eager to learn. But now what I am supposed to do? Jeff and I tried pig latin over the weekend. You know... "Honey, we could ake-tay the ids-kay to the ark-pay," but, let's be honest, my husband spends much too long trying to decipher the code and I just get frustrated.

How do you keep secrets from your kids? (And before you comment that you don't ... yeah, you do. ;)

14 comments:

momwithfaithandhope said...

We still spell - even in front of Gracyn who can't talk. It's a habit, and according to your post it's a habit we're going to have to break very soon, now that Peyton is starting to spell. Can't wait to see what others suggest. . .will need tips in the not so distant future!

Anonymous said...

Just yesterday Traci said...it must suck for Jackie & Jeff not to be able to spell things out anymore...That is too funny!!!

The Family K. said...

Hmm... for us, now that Andrew can figure out much of what we spell or at least know to badger us hard if he can't decipher it - we revert back to what shreds of French we both studied in high school. It ain't pretty.

Lynn said...

Yea, spelling doesn't work to well for us anymore either. Most of the time now Doug will say something like "you know that one thing" or I will say something similar until we figure out what the other is talking about! Trey did the a-s-s thing too and just giggled.

Ramona said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ramona said...

IF Mike could spell, we'd be spelling. When we wanna talk smack about someone Mikey knows, we change the name - 'Miss Loozah', 'Mr. B-Head', 'Ben Dover'.

Tisra said...

I know this too well. Grant is 8 1/2, though, so we've been out of that freedom for awhile. We simply wait until he's not around (playing in another room etc.) And, he knows that sometimes Mom and Dad have to talk alone so we ask him to leave the room. He can be nosey and want to participate in the discussion, though, so a locked door is helpful. I wish I had more tips. Oh- wait!- I just remembered! We occasionally IM eachother from different parts of the house (me on my laptop, him on his!). Again, with a reader, you have to make sure there aren't onlookers, but it usually is fine.

JFo said...

I'm curious to see what my mom comments...

Pretty sure we have more codes to keep things hidden from her than she does with us nowadays anyway. ;)

The family of six said...

We have this problem too. It seems like 'adult" discussions are now kept to when they are in bed. We rarely get to talk to each other anymore!!!! And going to the park comments are discussed in another room. Sigh.

Sarah k said...

LOL... this is great!!! I love it! Congrats on the OH SO SMART kid.. lol... I see your dilemma though! Have you tried pig latin? LOL....

Sarah k

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

First of all, I hate to say it but LOL! :) That is too funny! Praise God he asked you and not someone else!!! heehee

Now I am not sure what we will do when Noah gets bigger but I know my mom and I to this day can spell so fast to each other ENTIRE conversations and Celeste still at age 20 can't keep up enough to figure out what we are saying! Now we mainly do it for fun and to wig her out HEEHEE! Bobby does not have the 20 years experience with it so tha tmight not work. Maybe I should have him start speed spelling conversations with me now while Noah is 19 months old! :)

hugs
Tami
Noah's mama
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

Expecting Good Things said...

oh, how funny! Thank Goodness Bailey hasn't caught on to the whole spelling thing yet. I'm afraid it won't be long though. Sometimes dh and I text message each other even when we're in the same room. lol!
Holli
www.expectinggoodthings.blogspot.com

Kevin said...

My wife spells in front of our dog... We don't even have Hannah home yet, I can't imagine what it will be like when we do.

My parents were pretty much always up front with "Mommy-Daddy Talk Time" and asked me and my siblings to make ourselves scarce.

Anonymous said...

My parents used to spell things backwards. Result: My brothers and sister and I are very good at spelling things backwards and deciphering things that are spelt backwards.

Still, it might work for a month or so.