One of the wonderful blessings of motherhood is getting to discover the beautifully unique traits of each little personality developing within the diversity of the family. The ability of one child to see the world in clear, although ridged, black and white lines. And the ability of another to see the world in a vivid blur of color, and confusion. Parenting would be much easier if I would remember which little mind I am attempting to direct.
After noticing my sweet child smearing her tongue over the fourth item that day, and hoping to inspire self motivated correction, I chose to attempt the use of the Socratic method, rather than the typical repetition, in ascending tones, of "no, No, NO!"
Mommy: (with labored patience) "Isabelle, we don't lick tables, chairs, walls, windows, books, rugs, pews..." (forcing the cascading images to stop, and regaining composure) "Why don't you think of some things we can lick?"
Isabelle: (after a thoughtful glance into the air) "PAPER!"
Mommy: (a bit bewildered and slightly deflated) "Uhm..., no, Isabelle."
Isabelle: (with renewed excitement) "Um... Pretend Paper!"
Mommy: (slightly more deflated) "No, Izzie, something else."
Isabelle: (with eager triumph) "Well,... we can pretend to lick pretend paper! But really just put our little fingers on it!"
At this point I felt concession was necessary, and the approval of pretend licking of all pretend objects unavoidable, as well as, the return of the ascending "no, No, NO's!"
1 comment:
Sounds like your precious daughter is quite the oral learner! Maybe if you go the route of exploring with her 'little fingers'(how cute!) instead of her tongue it would be satisfying for her...then again maybe not!
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