Kids Say/Think/Do the Darndest Things!

Sophie, Logan, Austin, and I sat around the dinner table, eating pizza and red grapes.  The sun was sinking low in the sky, its rays growing dimmer with each bite.

Out of habit, I'd turned off all the excess lights before sitting down to eat with the kids. With the sun quickly setting, a small chandelier above the table was the sole illuminator in the room. Because very few things escape a three-year-old's attention, Logan quickly spoke up.
"Why is it so dark in here?"
In reality, it wasn't all that dark. But with the fluorescent sky switched off, the whole mood had definitely changed.

My dad would be proud of my reply.
"Well, Logan, it costs money to have lots of lights on."

Sophie's jaw dropped, her pizza somehow managing to stay inside.
"It does?!"
She was in disbelief.
I wasn't all that surprised. It was evident that the kids had no clue of this fact of life. Nearly every light in the house was on when I'd arrived. Bedrooms that clearly were not in use were well-lit for all the crawling creatures.

"Yes, it costs money to use the oven, to run the fans, to use lights - anything that runs on electricity. And it costs money to run water, too."

"It does?!"
"Yes, that's why it's so important not to let the water run or leave lights on in other rooms."

This response was not accepted. It only opened the floodgate of questions.

"Do kids have to pay to plug things in?"
"Who do our parents pay?"
"How often do we have to send them money?"

One of my favorites:
"Do we have to pay to eat our food? Like for each bite?"Asked Sophie as she scrutinized her pizza crust, trying to decide it if was worth the cost.

The conversation continued, and many more questions were asked.
("No, you don't have to pay to use your toys with batteries.")

Sophie decided she'd be extra careful about using electricity. In fact, she wasn't going to use any lights! Not only was she not going to use them, but she didn't even want them installed in her house. When the sun set, she'd just go to bed. Who needs lights?

I reassured them all that it was indeed okay to use lights and fans and ovens and such when we need them but that, at the same time, we should remember to turn off lights and fans when leaving a room. While I was speaking, I caught Logan trying to slip out of his seat.
This began a new lesson of not leaving the table without being excused.

"But, Miss Jessie, I'm trying to turn the fan off!"