I’m Just Not Doing What You Said To Do

I am really so tired of hearing, “I’m just ….”

“Son, let’s close the book at the dinner table.”
— “But I’m just looking at the pictures.”

“Don’t run in the parking lot.”
— “But I’m just going to the van.”

“I asked you to log off World of Warcraft.”
— “But I’m just checking my quests.”

“Close the door behind you when you come in.”
— “But I’m just getting a cup of water.”

“Give the DS back to your brother.”
— “But I’m just checking his saved game.”

“Don’t wear your shoes upstairs.”
— “But I’m just going to my room to get a NERF gun.”

“Swallow what you have in your mouth before talking.”
— “But I’m just telling Mom what I want for dessert.”

Aaaargh! I know what you’re “just” doing! What you’re “just” doing doesn’t change the situation. That you’re “just” doing X doesn’t negate what I told you to do or not do.

I SWEAR! It drives me nuts. Kids seem to think that if they’re “just” doing something, (rather than, I don’t know, “really” doing something?), they can ignore rules or instructions.

If the rule is that no one wears shoes upstairs, they seem to think that only applies if they are going to stay upstairs for the rest of the day. Or if they’re supposed to log off their game, they don’t have to if they’re not actively in a monster battle or something “real”.

How can a parent teach kids that “just” doing something doesn’t magically make rules and instructions inapplicable?

Bullgrit