Adrian, 5yo, in the bathroom, watching me brush my teeth. I have recently changed the head of my Sonicare toothbrush, and the old head is laying on the counter, a white plastic piece with a toothbrush attached to one end:
“What’s this?”
Me: “A worn out toothbrush.” I hand it to him, and he starts bending it a little. “You can have it for breaking.”
Adrian: (thrilled, eyes gleaming) “YES! Awesome!” Immediately starts bending it around hard and forcing it to warp and twist.
Me: “Do you love to break stuff?”
Adrian: (sheepishly) “Yes.”
Me: “I know! Well, break that toothbrush and *not* my other stuff. Someday I’ll buy you an old toaster to take apart. We’ll have a takeaparty!”
Adrian: “A take-apart-y? Where I can just break things?”
Me: “Yes.”
Adrian: (running to find his brother) Julian! Mommy is having a breaking things party just for me! It’s going to be the BEST!”