My eyes are still blurry as I pour my first cup of tea. We’ve been up for a while now —a slightly bumpy start to the day but an otherwise good night. I’ve already changed and dressed Nik, given him his morning medicine, and sent his father off to school in the falling snow. Nik plays happily with his toys in the adjacent room.
I take my first blessed sip of chai. Then I hear it—
The familiar scraping sound of an empty plastic toy bin being dragged across the room, followed by a slight giggle. “Ng, Ng, Ng”* says a small sing-songy voice with a hint of knowing. It is followed by the sound of a small, sneakered foot stepping onto the overturned toy bin.
I’m prepared for it but the sound of puzzle pieces clattering on the floor startles me momentarily. Proud little boy giggles follow.
It’s a tough call; should I admonish him for his climbing or be proud of his accomplishment? Choosing pride, I smile into my steaming mug of chai.
************************************
* Translation: “No, no, no!”
Neat piece. Neat kid. Neat mom.
I ask myself that question a lot as the boys attempt things out of independence. I save the teaching for later, but there is no admonishing. Now on occasion, there is an overexagerated freak out…but I am human, with hormones.
Enjoy the snowy day and all that comes with it.
I could eat him with a spoon. With!A!SPOON!
Ooo yes, I have those moments of hesitation all the time, although I don’t always make the right choice. Well done you [both!]
Cheers to chai
Mmmmmmmm…. chai…
Go Nik. Go Niksmom.
I just recently found your blog and I just have to tell you what an amazing writer you are. You have such a wonderful story to tell and your writing is so natural and picturesque. Reading this post, I felt like I was sitting next to you, sipping my own cup of chai. And Nik is the luckiest kiddo in the world to have parents like you and Niksdad.
ps-Go Nik!!
Go for the pride, for sure. I know I would.
Yes sometimes we should just close the eyes in the back of our head.
Being blind I see very well with those eyes and it is hard to close them sometimes.
@Margaret Thank you so much for your kind words! And welcome. I hope you’ll stop by often and join in the conversation.
such a common question in our house! pride usually wins!
he is delicious!
I also choose to take pride when Max is acting up—I recently wrote a post about it here, http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com/2009/01/kids-behaving-badly.html
Max (six-year-old who has cp) gets away with a lot more than Sabrina (four-year-old-typically-developing kid).
Definetly pride!
I read pixiemama’s comment as, “I could beat him with a spoon. With!A!Spoon!” Which I thought was a little harsh. And then I realized what she actually said. And now I agree with her.
It reminds me of my favorite thing I say to myself all the time with Timmy, “choose your battles” Seems like you did that this morning! You looked at the bright side instead of the dark side, way to go Mom!
Pride wins! Hurray!