"Little Pink Riding Hood"
The baby just left the table, grabbed a pencil and a sheet of paper and went back to the table and started "drawing." When she finishes it, she is beaming with pride and brings it to me, "Mommmmmmy, ook, ook!"
She grabs the remote and points it at the TV when she wants the movie louder.
She demands a spoon, refusing to eat with her fingers. If a piece falls on the floor she takes it to the trash. When she is done eating she walks her spoon and bowl to the sink.
She sits for fifteen minutes at a time, carefully flipping each page of the book and "reading" it aloud, clapping at the end.
She is 20 months old, precious, funny, sassy and full of life.
It is the environmental factors. She has 2 older sisters and 2 older brothers, and she is actively mimicking and copying what they do. Always ready to jump into the action, even if she isn't sure what the action is, she knows she wants to be part of it. There is a natural inclination to do what is shown to you, modeled.
What are we modeling to our children? Are we tired and exhausted and respond with "WHATTTTTTTTTTT DO YOU NEEEEEEEED?" or are we sarcastic? "YES! That IS what I said!" It is one of the things that comes up in attachment books and workshops often, you need to be 'attachable'...even when you don't fully feel like it. However, I think it is for ALL kids, regardless of background. They mirror us...even if they later decide they don't like something we did and they try to change it in themselves as adults, it is a challenge. They mirror us...the good, the bad, the everyday...it all matters. Want a sweeter child? Me more gentle. Want a patient child? Show patience. Want a child that care about humanity? Start caring about humanity, or acting upon it.Want them to be forgiving? Be forgiving.
I am trying to be more aware of my tone, my word choice, what adult conversation we have in front of the children, getting down to their eye level, speaking more kindly, making more time. You can never make enough time, so always just keep shooting for the most you can do. They grow so fast.
I want them to simply love, so I need to simply love.
1 comments:
You are able to do this because there is no more chaos in the home. Bravo! So happy for you! You are so right, they mimic what they see...when they are healthy. When they are wounded, hurt, traumatized...this scares the he!! out of them, but eventually makes a difference. Keep on keepin' on.
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