I shall call him zanzibar

I’ve decided to change Truett’s name to Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate. It just has such a nice ring to it.

Okay, I’m not really going to change his name but I have started calling him by that fantastic moniker whenever he isn’t listening to me. I discovered, quite by accident, that Truett really dislikes being called by any name other than his own. Every member of our family has their correct name and we are all allowed a few select nicknames but anything else is unacceptable.

The other day we were reading a Dr. Seuss story and I asked him if he would like to be called Zanzibar Buck-Buck Mcfate. His response was, “I not Zanzibar Buh Buh MiFate. I Suett.” I continued to call him Zanzibar until he threw himself onto the floor screaming. And that was when I knew I had struck gold.

Now, when he is being disobedient I simply call him by his new name. He hangs his head and says, “Aww. I not Zanzibar.” I tell him that he is being Zanzibar because he is being naughty. And surprisingly enough, it has proven to be a nice little incentive for him to change his behavior. Who would have thought?

photo by Darcywal   http://www.flickr.com/photos/52116841@N06/5493419160/