Knock knock jokes. Not so much.

Dani's new thing is to tell jokes.  Let me share a few.

Dani: Knock Knock
Mama: Who's there?
D: Yogurt
M: Yogurt Who?
D: Box.

And this one -

D: Knock knock
M: Who's there?
D: Tabletop
M: Tabletop who?
D: Kitchen

And they keep coming…

Usually, she tells Daddy the jokes because he ALWAYS pretends to crack up.  I think that is giving her a false confidence in her future as a stand up comedian.  
I tried something new last night from the Love and Logic playbook.  A little natural consequences of telling a bad joke.  I may not win Mother of the Year with this one, but it went something like this:

D: Knock knock
M: Who's there?
D: Coin
M: Coin who?
D: Chair.  (said with an expectant smile)
M: (blank stare)
D: I said Chair, Mama.  You are suppose to laugh.
M: (black stare)
D: Why aren't you laughing Mama.  (looking hurt)
M: I don't get it.
D: It doesn't matter Mama.  If I tell a joke, you have to laugh.  That's the rules.  If you don't laugh, that is being mean.  You don't want to be mean do you?
M: (Blank stare)
D: Let's try again.  Laugh this time…. Knock Knock….

Don't worry.  I eventually caved and chuckled.  I tried to reframe her "joke" so she would see the lack of connection. Like this: D: Knock knock
M: Who's there?
D: Tabletop
M: Tabletop who?
D: Kitchen
M: Haha… I see.. a tabletop in the kitchen… haha.

I don't think the guided practice worked either.

So I tried some "Why did the chicken cross the road?" jokes.  She stole my punchline.

M: Hey Dani, why did the chicken cross the road?
D: Because he needed to build a snowman over there.
M:  (blank stare).
D: Do it again Mama, you're funny.
M:  I got nothing.

My daughter is one amazing little girl, but the subtly of knock knock jokes seems to be going over her head.

Maybe we should invest in some Laffy Taffy.