Have you ever tried to herd cats. Getting cats to do anything on your terms is next to impossible unless that cat wants something. I have never met a cat that was compliant. They either sit and stair at you like you need to come over to them and scratch their butt for them, or they walk the other way. I’ve been trying to get my kids interested in taking our dog for a walk every day. I would love it if they could go on at least one walk without complaining, whining, and just stopping every three feet. Yes, that’s what it’s like. Taking my family on a walk is like herding cats. Getting them to do anything at all is like talking to a wall sometimes. They just don’t move. It’s like I need a fire to put under their buts. I mean what do I need to do to get them to have some sense of urgency because they have no sense of urgency at all. This attitude or frame of mind in my son has transferred over into everything he does. He will not move! This is what it’s like to have a conversation with the boy.
It’s time to clean up
Now?
Yes pick up your toys.
Ohh Kaaay!
Slowly he starts picking up his toys and then suddenly he’s distracted again and playing with them, we’re lucky if he hasn’t dumped all of them out again. And honestly, that’s if he didn’t take 10 to 15 minutes to move over to where his toys are to pick them up.
It’s time to go to bed, please go upstairs
Blank look on his face.
Go upstairs and go to bed.
Now?
Yes get upstairs please…
No
Get your butt upstairs
Blank look and maybe he moves a tiny tiny bit towards the stairs.
Go upstairs…..
A smile on his face as he tackles one of the stairs and then he stops. I need snuggie
I’ll get it you go upstairs
No, I want to get it
No mommy will get it you get your butt upstairs now.
He then gets to the second step and stops saying, Will you carry me?
No
He stands there…..
Go Upstairs
He moves forward one step and smiles again
I usually just give up at this point and go upstairs on my own and start working on getting Zoe ready for bed. I’ve had the same type of conversation with him about 10 times for the day already. Then I just yell down at him to get upstairs (or I let his dad handle it) and he knows that if he doesn’t get upstairs before I’m done with Zoe he’s in big big trouble. So usually he’s up there. Occasionally, I’ll still find him laying on the landing at the bottom of the stairs waiting on me to carry him. No, I still don’t carry him but I proceed to put him on the naughty spot and then he might be willing to move up the stairs but at a slow as molasses pace.
Yes, Shamefully I’m one of those parents that yells but herding cats drives me nuts.
Does that mean I'll be good with kids, too? Also: 
i’m sorry louise, but this was hilarious! i can SO relate.
Thanks Rachel,
I was hoping to make a mom or two laugh! Glad you read the article. Working with boys is much harder than working with girls
Hey, come over to my house- I have 9 cats!
Seriously (yes, I really do have 9 cats), I think that when you have more than one they are less spoiled and behave better. BUT-more cats get in cliques and then they can gain up on you if they really want something.
LOL. Sounds alot like our house but for some reason when we get out of our seats our kids move and they move fast
My son does not find me intimidating yet. I think i need to rectify that.
haha! That is so so true.
This is the exact scenario at my home! Ironically, my husband shot that cat commercial called, Cat Herders! Aired for superbowl a few years back. Hee! Seriously it takes my son forever to get up the stairs – but then he ends up asking for us to carry him!
Cat Herders sounds like a great commercial.
Your blog feature is now up!
http://simplystacie.net/blog-spotlight-mom-start/
Thank you Stacie,
I tweeted about it and appreciate you posting!
Ha ha- every night I have a similar conversation with A about getting into/staying in her big girl bed. Seems like there’s always another question she needs answered, another thing to “check on” or the newest- doing a fake cough to get up and get a drink of water… Oh these kids…
Hi Christine,
I knew you would be able to appreciate this one about Miles!
Teehee thanks for the chuckle!