Family “Talk”

In our family we have certain “words” or “phrases” that we use that would not make sense to the random on-looker.  I’m sure all families have a dynamic like this in some form or another.  Either that or my family is just a little different-which might be the case. 

We have a man staying in our guest bedroom for the time being and he is slowly being exposed to our family’s language.  We have a 7 year-old and a 3 year-old who are not a bit shy, so they have conversations with him quite often. 

A few nights ago, John and I and the kids were all back in one of the bedrooms near the room where this man is staying.  John and I were scolding the 3 year-old for something and the 7 year-old told her that she was going to get a BAP.  A BAP is a quick slap on the back of the head for doing something idiotic or without forethought that can lead to trouble. 

Well, being told that she was going to get a BAP did not sit well with her.  Since John and I were in the middle of scolding her, she decided her only ally was down the hall.  She went stomping out of her room and marched right into the guest room and said, “I don’t want a BAP and brudder (brother) said that I’m going to get a BAP!’  I listened intently to see what his response would be.  He very kindly said, “Well, if your mommy and daddy say that you need a bath, then you need to take a bath, O.K.?”  I chuckled to myself, waiting for her to go into a full on explanation of what a BAP is, but she didn’t.  She did not reveal one of our family codes.  She cocked her head to the side as if to say, “That is the strangest thing I have ever heard” and she marched back to her bedroom and commenced to getting ready for bed. 

Our secret is still safe.  I guess.