Unloading the Dishwasher

Early morning conversation with my three-and-a-half-year-old went something like this:

John: "Mama, I am hungry."

Mama: "Okay, John, would you help me unload the dishwasher? Then I'll be able to make you breakfast."

John: "No, I'm playing right now."

Mama: "Oh, well, I can't make breakfast for you until the dishwasher is unloaded."

John: "But, Mama, that is a lot of hard work."

Mama: "I know. It is a lot of hard work and that's why I need your help."

John [said solicitously]: "If you just go slowly, you'll be able to do it, Mama!"

Mama: "We are a family, honey, and I want your help with the chores so it's not just Mama doing all the chores for everyone."

John [with hand motions showing how to empty a dishwasher]: "No, no, see, if you just take one thing out and put it away, take another thing out, and put it away, then that's called 'going slowly' and you'll be able to do it!"

Shortly thereafter, I did win cheerful cooperation in unloading the dishwasher, which I've been asking John to help me with each morning for about a month. But his creative arguments this morning did amuse me.