Clowns!

Boy: piss, moan, whine, grumble, stomp! stomp! stomp!

Me: You know I've had enough. If this keeps up, I'm joining the circus.

Boy: NOOOOO, NOOOOO, NOOOO, don't leave.

Me: I'm just kidding.

Later.

DH: You really shouldn't say things like that about joining the circus. [The boy] takes you seriously. He doesn't know you won't leave him.

Me: You thought I was kidding?