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I am about to admit — in public and in writing — that I have a tough time saying ‘no.’
Oh, not to my kids. I tell them ‘no’ all of the time. “No, you may not have another $20 to buy the new Shooter of the Red Moon video game.” and “No, you may not borrow my truck to carry that really smelly couch to your friend Dave’s.”
And I’m certainly not afraid to say ‘no’ to Hot Cop, who knows my answer to such silly questions as “Are you getting up to get more coffee?” (No, but if you are, please feel free to refill my cup.) And “What’s for dinner?” (“Nothing, unless you’re fixing it.”)
But who I really have trouble saying ‘no’ to is this:
And this:
I mean, I TRY to say ‘no,’ but when I find myself staring into these:
. . . the word ‘no’ flies right out of my head. I find myself blabbing things like, “Ok, one more cookie.” and “You want pork chops for dinner? Fine! I’ll thaw some out now.”
It’s CRAZY what I end up doing when I get hit with a glance from Sad Puppy Eyes. They are my Achilles’ heel. I just … can’t … say … no.
What about you? Are there any people, fuzzy or no, that you can’t say ‘no’ to? And cuddly kittens? Precious puppies? Adorable grandparents? Cute kiddos? Tell us about your Achilles’ Heel! (Btw, I think that when I have grandkids, I may find myself not saying ‘no’ once again.)
72 Comments on “Not sayin’ no.”
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I have a really hard time saying no to Acheron or the next door neighbor’s kitten when they get all dewy eyed and do the purring and treading thing. When Acheron does this I can’t help but get him the more pricey foods and feed him more than twice a day. He does appreciate it though and gives me the most beautiful gap toothed kitty smiles.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:40 am.
And I bet Archeron knows it, too, and loooooves it! They’re so cute when they smile.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:47 am.
Oh he definitely does. It’s not like I am spoiling him or anything *g*
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:30 pm.
I am getting better at saying no to family then I used to be.
I can never say no to my great niece Amya she has my number.
Same with my cat and my sisters dog. Sure you want to play in the heat come on. LOL
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:33 am.
You have to say ‘no’ sometimes or you’ll be crazy, especially to family. But to my dogs? Nope?
I can’t say no to my niece, either. She’s not that cutesy type of kid, but oh my GOSH, does she have the best personality. She’s cheeky, and if you make me laugh … oh well, go ahead and have another cookie. Know what I mean?
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:49 am.
I too have a very hard time telling my dogs no. Even the vet says they have the best way of making you feel the guiltiest. I think I would have a hard time telling my mom no, although she never does anything that would require me to say that. Sadly, I can’t say no to ice cream either. And at 4:30 this morning, when I laid wide awake in bed I couldn’t say no to the book I am currently reading. I got up and gave into its temptation. I’ll pay for that later;)
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:54 am.
Lol! I can’t say ‘no’ to a good book, either. And darn it, but that Suzanne Enoch got me reading Game of Thrones and I’ve been up too late all week. Ack!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:51 am.
I have heard she is a bad influence like that!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:39 am.
Right now, I don’t have a pet anymore but in those days when I used to have a cat, I found it very difficult to forbid something. Hell, I tried to say no when he wanted OUR meat, but he climbed up my arm and took it! Next time, I gave it to him straight away…
For the rest, I can easily so NO to anthing and anyone.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:08 am.
Nicki, och, lass, you’re a soft touch. And so am I, so welcome to the club!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:51 am.
My one cat has learned that if she holds her paw up against her chest while looking at me, I will give in everytime. This goes back to when she was small and had a sore paw. I fussed over her so much, that she learned to use it to her advantage. She still does it to this day, 13 years later.
Right now I am training my puppy, so I need to say no alot. It’s difficult at times, but I know if I don’t then I will pay later when she is older.
I also have a hard time saying no to people asking for money. It doesn’t matter what store you go into these days, they are collecting donations for something, and I can’t say no.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:54 am.
Now THAT’S working it. Lol! How cute!
You do have to make sure they have good manners. I hate dogs who jump up on people when they walk into a home, so I make certain my dogs behave. But I am far too lax with them on other things and I know it. :-/
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:52 am.
Karen I am with you! We got an adorable puppy two weeks before Christmas and even though she is techically my “daughter’s” she thinks I am her mama. She is so sweet and lovable, and follows me everywhere and only wants a pet or a cuddle. She sits by me at dinner praying to God a piece of chicken might fall on the floor, but never begs. (Chicken always seems to fall on the floor beside her). I am in love with her and do things for her I normally wouldn’t do.
The other person who I cannot say no to is my baby. He is 6 (almost 7) and maybe its because I had him later in life, although, I think its because he’s perfect, I cannot say no to him unless it is absolutely necessary. He is the best most obedient child with a sweet attitude and might I also say he is adorable. He has me wrapped around his little finger and I am content to remain there.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:14 am.
Lisa, the same thing happened with our new dog, Sadie. Hot Cop always ends up being the dog fave — he’s the alpha in the house and they fawn all over him. But our new dog follows me everywhere, and sleeps with her chin on my feet, and now (because I’ve gone completely mad) sleeps on the couch with her head in my lap.
I can only imagine how having a later kiddo would be . . . and yes, I’d probably be 1) more relaxed, and 2) have more time to spoil them. And because of that, they would be 1) more obedient, and 2) have a better ‘tude.
I can see how that would happen!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:56 am.
The puppy eyes do it every time.
I have a hard time saying no to my kids now that they’re grown. They are usually asking for something simple, like ice cream, and I get it for them. To which IV says to them “Do you have two feet?” Followed by, “Can I have some too?”
My problem is my thought process which goes like this–I just cleaned the counter, do NOT leave ice cream dribbles on it. Oh, hell, I’ll do it myself.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:18 am.
Lori, I’m guilty of that, too. My son always asks me to make him sandwiches, which I do because it makes me think about all of the times I did it when he was little. Plus, he makes a giant mess and although I will make him clean it up, it will take some time for him to get around to it. So yeah, it’s easier and well, sort of my little Mom Gift.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:58 am.
why do I have a hard time saying no to my kitties? I have no idea.
Actually, yesterday I told one cat to f off ( and don’t I feel even sillier to admit that in print)because she plopped on my chest and proceeded to head butt my cup of coffee, then try to put her head inside the cup. But then I put the cup down and let her stay as long as she wanted while I awkwardly held my paperback over her.
Although I do have them “trained” to not climb on the food prep counters -while they have the run of the breakfast bar. They are only allowed to shred one hand me down chair that has already been shredded by another cat. And they get locked out of the bedroom if they wake me through the night.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:26 am.
It’s good to have them trained not to be where the food it. My cat never gets on the counter and she’s trained to only lay in places where her towels are. Actually, I’ve been trained to put her towels on the spots where she lays, so uhm, yeah. Training and cats do not mix, do they?
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:59 am.
um. my cat Sweetums fetches. and stays. and will lay down quietly with me in bed when I say “sleep”. and once growled at the door when the doorbell rang.
nyah!
I’ve been working on Luna aka howler monkey. so far she has stay working for her.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:22 pm.
alright, this reminds me that I do put up with a lot from my cat. I am trying to remember if I have ever said NO. I don’t think so, but maybe only because it doesn’t do any good with cats?
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:42 pm.
I think sometimes it’s the cat. My cat, aka Cat, won’t do anything you might wish her to do. All she does is sleep, eat, barf, and torment the dogs. She’s never plays and she pretty much hates everyone in the house.
I’m always amazed when I see other people with cats who do tricks or like to be patted or whatnot.
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:29 pm.
Eh, it’s a known fact that when faced with non life threatening requests that I can’t say no to the nephews. Haven’t been able too since they first set their bright little eyes upon me.
They’re each 6’8″ now, still cant.
Can’t help it, I adore them.
And who the heck can say no to puppy and kitten eyes? They’re poor helpless things that depend on me for the sustinance that maintains their lives. Again, I can say no if it’s simply not healthy for them, but I remember Prince Fluffypants a few months ago having an upset little tummy and boiling him his own chicken and rice because the vet said it was mild and healthy for him….so let me repeat that…I. would. cook. dinner. for. my. cat. Not open a can. I would cook his dinner. And most nights I was not cooking my own.
Wrong on so many levels.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 7:40 am.
But Pesky, he is just a poor wee sick kitty who needs his mama’s love oooh Noz a la!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:20 am.
Lol! Yeah, big little guys are the hardest to say ‘no’ to. My son always says, “Mom, will you make me a sandwich?” and if I hesitate, he’ll grin and say, “I’ll love you forever.”
And, of course, I make him a sandwich. Who could resist that grin?
I hope Prince Fluffypants is feeling better. That’s too funny about making his dinner. My cat gets dried food and nothing else, mainly because everything else makes her sick. I’m glad she doesn’t NEED rice and chicken, or I might have to cook something — ack!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:01 am.
I relented just this weekend to eyes that pleaded for some of my sandwich. I didn’t think a kitty should be eating turkey but I was overruled . Luckily she just wanted a taste – so dirrent from a dog who wants all of the sandwiches in all of the world.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:05 am.
Fresh, there is no bottom to a dog’s stomach, so don’t even try.
Turkey, eh? I never knew a cat would eat that.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:02 am.
ROFL! Too, too true!! Diesel gets a pass on almost everything. Those eyes. Sigh.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:52 am.
I know . . . who can say no to THOSE EYES? Sigh.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:03 am.
I am a “yes” man–so very rarely do I say “no” to anyone (character flaw, yes, I know {sigh}). Every once in a while I’ll get to the point where I’ll put my foot down, but it’s generally not pretty for either party. The main person who can talk me in to anything: My Mama. The woman has a gift.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:28 am.
Haley, it’s important that you learn to say ‘no’ or people will take advantage of them all of your life — and they may not even know they’re doing it, if you don’t tell them. But when it comes to big brown puppy eyes … well, that’s different.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:09 am.
I have a hard time saying no to the three-year-old. Last week she told me she wanted a butterfly habitat. So, it arrived at her house yesterday.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:59 am.
Lol! You’re a great grandmother. I can’t wait to be one, myself.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:09 am.
Rachel, you look too young to be a grandmother. I had you pegged for being in your late 30s to maybe 40!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:36 pm.
Oh gosh, those puppies are so cute! I’m with you. I couldn’t possibly say ‘no’ to them!
At the moment, the only other time I have difficulty saying ‘no’ is with my youngest son (1 1/2)… But what he asks for isn’t so bad. My oldest asks for candy and cookies before dinner, and those are a big ‘no’. But my youngest tries to eat my dinner. When he avoids his own plate and comes to me and repeats the very first word he ever spoke…”sees” (aka please) I can’t say ‘no’. I’m eating healthy food, and he clearly wants it. How can I refuse? He also wants everything I drink or snack on. He wants to use my moisturizer and chapstick when I do, as well. He’s a veritable mimic. But since he asks so nicely, I’m willing to let him use some of my things and eat my food…
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:09 am.
Cheri, and I’m SURE anyone else would do the same thing. He sounds adorable!!!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:10 am.
I have a hard time saying no to puppy’s sad eyes, and I pay for it because when it comes to food, do it once and it becomes a puppy entitlement. T-r-o-u-b-l-e! I fully intend to never say no to grandchildren once I have some. That is their parents’ job, is how I see it. I am already planning how to spoil them. I have some trouble saying no to my sons now that they are grown. I think I ran out of no when they hit 21. Fortunately, they do not require too many no’s now.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:37 am.
It’s tough training a puppy. I always get adult rescue dogs that have been rehabilitated by a foster family. For one, they’re harder to get adopted (though I don’t know why — they’re adorable, too), and I don’t have to deal with house training, which is nice.
I plan on being a grandmother spoiler, too. I can’t wait!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:55 pm.
I have already decided I am getting my grandchildren a playhouse. I always envied them when I was little, and they have some really cool ones now.
Also, the girls get canopy beds if they want them.
You can see I have been planning this. Now if one of the sons will only cooperate.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:44 pm.
Lol! You are going to be a STELLAR grandmother. I can already see it coming!
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:29 pm.
I never want to disappoint little kids, even if it’s for their own good.
My grandmother, god rest her soul, would not tolerate a a basset hound we had when I was a kid. She swore he was trying to trick her with his sad eyes. She refused to look at him. Seriously refused. I think she couldn’t say no!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:38 am.
Julia, it’s tough to tell the little ones no sometimes. But as they get older, it does become easier, usually because they want bigger, more expensive things. And stupider things, too, like roller blades with blinky lights so they can ‘roller blade in the dark’ – uh, NO – or a set of $600 brand new tools because they need to change the oil in their car and it would save them soooo much money ($19.99) – uh, NO again.
That’s so funny about your grandmother and the basset hound! They do look so sad. Perpetually so.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:57 pm.
Say no to my cat? You’ve got to be kidding! I also have trouble saying No to any of my 4 granddaughters or their mother for that matter.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:08 am.
Molly, it sounds as if you need to get in line. We’re all guilty as charged!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:57 pm.
These sweet critters would be hard to say “no” The four legged neices and nephews, plus the two legged ones, in my world know they have Auntie Kathleen wrapped around thier little fingers.. She just can’t so no to those sweet faces.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:19 am.
Lol! It’s good to be an aunt, isn’t it? It’s one of my favorite things next to Mom and Wife.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
I cannot say No to my darling kitty Ali. She gives me the cute kitty face along with the purring and kisses. She is my baby and I spoil her rotten. I have no children, nieces, nephews or grandkids. I also cannot say No to a goddess book.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:32 am.
Books do me in every time, too. They call me, beg to be read, even when I’m on deadline. Sometimes I’ll say, “Just one chapter–” but nooooo. It’s almost one more and then one more and — well, you know how it goes. :-/
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:59 pm.
OMG,my nephews. And they both know it. I just can’t say no. The older one’s even been known to say, “look, Aunt Suz, I’m using my puppy eyes”. Sigh. *g*
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
Lol! Now THAT’S obvious.
Btw, the book I’m having trouble not reading because I’m on deadline? The Game of Thrones. Thank you for the recommendation … and curses, Suzanne Enoch, for killing my deadline!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:59 pm.
I can’t pass a cat or a dog in public. Ever. This has gotten me in trouble many times.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:17 pm.
Barbara, oh, the strays. They break my heart every time.
Btw, your new rescue is a cutie!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:00 pm.
I can never say no to chocolate or a yorkie puppy. I wish I had both right now.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 12:19 pm.
Those are excellent dogs, both of them. And so cute! I tell ya, they know how to work their eyes. All of them do!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:01 pm.
Being a people pleaser has its downfall, of course it has to do with the word no. I have the hardest time saying no. However, to my kids it’s no problem it’s the automactic no. Husband it depends on the question.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:33 pm.
Melody, we all have our weaknesses and strengths. I never had trouble telling my kiddos no when they were younger. Now, I’m a bit of a marshmallow. I guess I know they’re growing up and there won’t be many “Mom, can you help with…”s coming along.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
I’m pretty good about saying no to people. I’m slightly less good saying no to the animals and adorable (well behaved) kids.
I’m more likely to say yes to simple requests rather than someone giving me a giant sob story.
oh.. gotta go.. Shadow needs me to get his ball for him.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 1:34 pm.
ha ha!!!!!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:25 pm.
I’m with you on the simple requests thing. Drama and I do not mix. I have no ‘taste’ for it and my first inclination is to say “No, no, NO.”
Enjoy your fetch time!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:29 pm.
Generally, I don’t have a hard time saying no, even when my daughter pulls out her version of puppy dog eyes. It just makes me laugh because with her, give her an inch, she’ll take a mile.
However, when it comes to volunteering at my kids’ school, it’s hard to say no. While it’s easy to say no to the PTA stuff, it’s harder to say no the classroom stuff. I tried to limit what I did in the classroom, but my daughter’s second grade teacher is, also, a good friend. With the budget issues there were 30!!! kids in the class this year. That’s WAY too many kids, and I started grading classwork that wasn’t used for assessments in October. I corrected SO much homework this past year, that I could have done parent teacher conferences. It ate a lot of my time, and I’m glad I could help the teacher. I just can’t do that, again, this coming school year. It kept me from working on my etsy shop (I closed it for winter break, and never got back around to opening it up, again.), and other stuff like household chores. I gained weight because I stopped menu planning since I didn’t have time for it. This coming school year I’m just going to volunteer in the classroom and docent the 5 art projects (hopefully, there are 4 other docents who will help, so I’ll only have to do one.) for my daughter who’s still in elementary school. As for my middle schooler, I have to figure out middle school first, but I expect that they don’t want too much help.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:05 pm.
Janae, you are a SAINT to undertake that. And 30 kids? Wowza. That would be overwhelming.
It seemed to me that my kids’ schools wanted/needed less and less help as they got older, although some of that has to do with the individual schools. Some want parents there, some don’t.
Get that ETSY store up and running! I love, love, love ETSY. Too much, perhaps.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:39 pm.
It’s VERY hard to say no to my precious granddaughter. She is 10 months old and already tugs the heartstrings when you know that you should tell her no.
Her little bottom lip will pout and quiver….and I’m lost. 
Never had a problem overlooking the pouty face from my own children and the hub, but Kaela gets me every time. I’m a puddle. 
Love sweet little puppy faces and kitty faces, too. That unconditional love is so apparent, it makes it hard to say no.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:08 pm.
There’s something about grandkids, isn’t there? And that trembling lip — oy!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
My daughter tells me I’m heartless.
With 5 kiddos, I have to be able to say no. It seems like I do it all the time, but some of the things I get asked are nuts! The latest is a chinchilla. Where on earth would I put one in my house when we are already overflowing! When it comes to our yorkies, I am the only one with ground rules for them. If I let the kids and husband in charge of them, the poochies would take total advantage! They know who’s in charge and typically only listen to me. However, who can resist a dog that plops on their back for a tummy rub with that little innocent face just saying, “Pleeeeaaase!”
Starbucks skinny vanilla lattes, I cannot say no to. Books, I can’t say no to either. It’s so hard to put them down once I start! My mom and mom in law, can’t say no there, and they both know it! They don’t take advantage either, so that’s ok.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:15 pm.
Marlo, Moms have to be tough. Grandmoms, not so much. I’m ready to be the non-tough grandmom.
It’s good that your mil and mom don’t take advantage of your non-no-ness. You gotta love people who respect boundaries, even ones drawn in sand.
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 2:41 pm.
Karen–Absolutely on the grandkids! You think those puppies have expressive eyes? Just you wait, kiddo!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:10 pm.
I know. I’m a little afraid to find out. 8-0
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:30 pm.
Nikki begged me to let her be Miss July in next year’s Seattle Humane Society calendar. Could I say no? Let’s put it this way – her photo shoot is this afternoon. Yes, my toy poodle will be Miss July next year!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
Lol! She’s a cutie, too. I’ve heard from so many people that toy poodles have the BEST attitudes. Like a golden retriever’s, only more playful.
Pls share the photos! I’d love to see her in her Miss July gear!
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:31 pm.
I don’t have a story, but I just wanted to say those puppies are adorable!
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 9:23 pm.
Sharlene, I know. I keep looking at the first one and wishing I could give him a cupcake.
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:32 pm.
I have a very hard time saying no to my grandmother. I am watching her dog for her tomorrow, for 12 hours while she goes up near Chicago for the day. I can honestly say, the dog is okay, but he is very people attached and wants to sit on you all day. My husband and I are sick, we’ve been sick all week, but I still said yes when she called. Ugh. I guess it can lay on me since all I can do is lay about, I’ve got an inner ear imbalance so if I try to stand I feel like I am on a ship deck. Bleck.
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:01 am.
Rhiannon, oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Ear imbalances are HORRIBLE. Still, it’s nice that even though you’re ill, you are taking care of your grandmother’s dog. How sweet of you! You’re building good karma, lady! That’s worth a lot!
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:33 pm.