CTS

Another family coined acronym; CTS. What pray tell does it mean? Let me tell you...

It means Conquer The Store. Where did it come from pray tell? Let me tell you...

My youngest sister had this disease. It was awful, hideous, it transformed her face at times even. It made her go into jirations in public places. It made my mother run and hide!

My son has contracted this disease from my sister. It runs in the family and only attacks those under the age of ten. It binds to their brain cells and changes their personality. It makes them writhe in real pain over the desire of a 'thing'. It is a horrible disease. The only known cure is the word NO. There are no pills. There is not a shot. There isn't even a prescribed method of treatment; except for the word NO. Let me tell you what the word NO does to someone who has this horrible, debilitating disease, CTS. It sends them into WORSE convulsions, fits, and tantrums. It makes for a sure scene. People will look and stare. They will think you have just attempted to do some horrible physical damage to your child. They will surely click their tongues and shake their heads at you as they pass you slowly and stare. You must have the guts of ten armies to take this from someone you do not even know. You must and I repeat you MUST stand your ground. For if you don't, if you cave, your child will have the one thing they want from you most (or so they think)----they will have CONTROL.

Now, I must tell you that recently (well back in October; still fairly recent) my youngest sister did me a huge grand favor. We were in a store all together. My entire family. Grammy, Granpa, all the sisters, husbands and kids. All of us. My oldest son who very clearly has this disease was trying to do the thing-he was trying to Conquer the Store. I did my thing-I told him NO. The word did it's thing-sent him into a fit. I looked at my youngest sister and I said to her, "Sister, please pass on your knowledge about CTS to my oldest son and tell him why it isnt' good, PLEASE (I also believe I prefaced it with, "please don't be offended")!" She did a good job and he relented. I think he still got a chapstick that night *thank you Uncle T* but he didn't get the 'thing' he wanted. Really, the thing does not matter, it's kind of the the commercial for EBAY, with the "IT" and the IT being anything you want it to be. That is what the THING is.

Watching childrens TV, any kids show, they fill the commercials with you must have you should get you will love---this THING. And then I hear, "Mom can I have ???? My answer? Either silence (ignoring works well too) or NO.

Will the horrible debilitating disease of CTS ever really go away? Me thinks, no. It won't. We parents, we like to do what's easy and that is to say YES. Why do the hard thing? It's too hard. Saying yes will quell any fits of anger, any tides of tears, and most of all, it will keep the child happy. It will keep them happy right up until they are an adult and cannot discern reality and the value of a dollar from a hole in the ground. They'll be really happy then won't they? Of course, we want our children to be happy and have what they want? What parent doesn't want that? I look for the line in the sand. When I see it approaching, I know to put up my dukes and get out the bag of cement. I go look for a bucket of water and a mixing tool. I am ready. Bring it on.

:>) This has been a mostly true story brought to you with all guts. No glory.

Jenn