When I was a kid, my parents would often take our family on road trips. I grew up in Ohio but my Mom's side lived in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, while my Grandparents on my Dad's side lived in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
My older brother, David and I would get so excited about seeing our family and going to the beach that we would often drive our parents crazy in the car. My Dad could only take so much until "The Claw" eventually came out. I swear he could reach his arm so far back that David and I couldn't find one square inch to hide. My brother would even use me as a human sacrifice and push me forward so Dad could reach me first.
The worst time ever was about nine or ten hours into a drive when David and I would NOT stop fighting. Dad had gotten to that point and finally yelled, "Do you want me to STOP THIS CAR?!" I must have been in Jr. High at the time, because whatever came over me, I said in a snarky voice..."Yeah, Dad. We want you to stop the car."
EEEEERRRRRRRRRCHHHHH! He pulled off the side of the highway so fast that our eyes about popped out. My brother shot a look at me with half bewilderment and half awe. He couldn't believe that I said it. I couldn't believe that I said it. My parents DEFINITLY couldn't believe that I said it...and you can bet your boots that I never said it again.
With this story in mind, you'll understand my reaction then when tonight, my husband and I were on the road with the kids. All four of them were out of control and would not stop screaming or fighting. Christian kept messing with Ethan...Ethan kept bothering Preston and Preston kept annoying Lauren. On and on they went until Adam couldn't take it anymore. He screamed, "DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP THIS CAR?!"
They all fell silent. I stopped breathing for a split second waiting to see how strong the course of genetics were. I couldn't help but wonder if anyone would give him the same answer.
Nothing. They were all quiet and wide eyed. For whatever reason, I turned my head and tried to cover my face from giggling. Adam shot me a confused look. He was fuming and I was laughing. I tried to keep my mouth covered and whispered, "You just sounded EXACTLY like my Dad".
He still didn't think it was funny, but I couldn't stop from snickering. Thinking of the past and "The Claw" brought back so many memories.
Our kids will probably never learn the perfect art form of squeezing their entire bodies into a two inch radius of the back seat, but those of you who grew up with "The Claw" too, probably had it down to a science.
Please click the picture of this Mama below for a VOTE!
Thank You!
My older brother, David and I would get so excited about seeing our family and going to the beach that we would often drive our parents crazy in the car. My Dad could only take so much until "The Claw" eventually came out. I swear he could reach his arm so far back that David and I couldn't find one square inch to hide. My brother would even use me as a human sacrifice and push me forward so Dad could reach me first.
The worst time ever was about nine or ten hours into a drive when David and I would NOT stop fighting. Dad had gotten to that point and finally yelled, "Do you want me to STOP THIS CAR?!" I must have been in Jr. High at the time, because whatever came over me, I said in a snarky voice..."Yeah, Dad. We want you to stop the car."
EEEEERRRRRRRRRCHHHHH! He pulled off the side of the highway so fast that our eyes about popped out. My brother shot a look at me with half bewilderment and half awe. He couldn't believe that I said it. I couldn't believe that I said it. My parents DEFINITLY couldn't believe that I said it...and you can bet your boots that I never said it again.
With this story in mind, you'll understand my reaction then when tonight, my husband and I were on the road with the kids. All four of them were out of control and would not stop screaming or fighting. Christian kept messing with Ethan...Ethan kept bothering Preston and Preston kept annoying Lauren. On and on they went until Adam couldn't take it anymore. He screamed, "DO YOU WANT ME TO STOP THIS CAR?!"
They all fell silent. I stopped breathing for a split second waiting to see how strong the course of genetics were. I couldn't help but wonder if anyone would give him the same answer.
Nothing. They were all quiet and wide eyed. For whatever reason, I turned my head and tried to cover my face from giggling. Adam shot me a confused look. He was fuming and I was laughing. I tried to keep my mouth covered and whispered, "You just sounded EXACTLY like my Dad".
He still didn't think it was funny, but I couldn't stop from snickering. Thinking of the past and "The Claw" brought back so many memories.
Our kids will probably never learn the perfect art form of squeezing their entire bodies into a two inch radius of the back seat, but those of you who grew up with "The Claw" too, probably had it down to a science.
Please click the picture of this Mama below for a VOTE!
Thank You!
RSS Feed