Deja Vu

I was driving Dylan to scouts today when this conversation ensued:

Dylan:  Mom, next time you put that sticky popcorn stuff in my lunch, you need to also pack a plate, a fork, and a knife.

Me:  You mean the carmel corn?

Dylan:  Yeah.  It is just wayyy too sticky to eat with my fingers.

Me:  But it's popcorn.  You want to use a knife and fork to eat popcorn??

Dylan:  Yeah.  It was just...really difficult to eat with my fingers.

Me:  First of all, no.  I'm never packing you a plate, fork, and knife to eat carmel corn.  Secondly, it might be nice every once in awhile to hear, "Thank you for putting an extra treat in my lunch, Mom."  Or, "Thanks for packing my lunch every day, Mom."  All I get are complaints! 

Dylan:  Oh, Mom, you do so many things really good, too.

Me:  Well, I never hear the good things.  Only the bad.

Dylan:  Do you want me to tell you the good things you do?

Me:  Yes.  Yes, I do.

Dylan:  Well, you are a really good cleaner.  You are seriously so good at mopping.  And you're a really good cook, too.  Is that better?

Me:  Yes.  Yes, it is.

After I dropped him off, I felt that this conversation seemed vaguely familiar.

And then I realized why.  I have this same type of conversation with my husband all the time. :)  He tries to make a helpful suggestion, I get all butt-hurt, and then I passive-aggressively make him tell me the good things I do.  It's our schtick.