Because I Said So!

Because I said so, was the most hated statement said by my parents when I was growing up.  I used to get so angry when they would utter those words. I use to think that they didn’t have a reason to say no, so they would just sprew that out.  I mean there couldn’t have been a logical reason for me not to go to a party, right? Ahhh, to be innocent again.

Now that I have two teenagers of my own, I utter those words all the time.  Even when I have a reason, I still say, because I said so. I can’t say to my daughter no you can’t sleep over Maggie’s house because I think her father is a creep or no you can’t go to John’s house because I don’t trust his mother.

There has been so many times over the years that I have said because I said so, just to protect my child’s feelings.  I have also said it to avoid an argument. I mean how can they argue with because I said so?

The world is so unpredictable now, it is not when I was younger.  I used to roam my neighborhood from morning until night and not see or talk to my parents all day.  I was able to go pretty much anywhere I wanted. There wasn’t anyone’s house that I wasn’t allowed to go to.

I did some very risky things and behaved in ways that I would “kill” my children for.  There was no map with red dots when I was a kid.  We didn’t know that Mr. Apple was a pedophile.  Our parents were blissfully ignorant. Well, not anymore.

Maybe I am paranoid or maybe I am over protective, but I really don’t care because I need to keep my children safe!  So, they are not allowed to have sleepovers at others houses, I am very selective on who is allowed to drive them places and I check up on them all the time.

I am usually pretty honest with my kids now and I tell them about pedophiles and drug addicts.  If I have a hunch that one of their friend’s parents have a drug problem, I tell my kids. They know what is out there and the ramifications of using drugs.  I am open and honest about what goes on in the world because I want them to be knowledgeable and aware of things around them.

However, there are times when I need revert back to my favorite answer, because I said so.  Here are the top 5 reasons why I use because I said so:

1. I am too tired to have a lengthy conversation to why they are unable to go somewhere
2. They have asked me in front of a friend and I don’t want to offend them
3. They are being a little jerk and I don’t feel I need explain myself
4. I have already explained my position and they are still arguing
5. When they ask a ridiculous question like “why do I have to do the dishes”

Do you ever say because I said so?  Do you have another favorite go to phrase?