Shannon has learnt the art of Storming Off in a Huff. I am not sure where she picked it up from but when she does it it always makes me giggle. I can't help it. I try not to let her hear as I am well aware that it is very important to validate her feelings. I know I am supposed to let her know that it is OK to be cross, and to teach her how to process those feelings in a socially acceptable way. But it's cute. I can picture the teenage Shannon in 10 years time reading this and being cross with me for not taking her seriously. Sorry hun, I do, but it's too precious.
The other day Shannon had Stormed Off in a Huff and then slowly worked her way back to the living room in order to be closer to her favourite spot in the centre of attention. She had her back to me, sitting on the floor with her head in her arms, resting against the couch. I continued pretending to read a magazine while watching her intently.
After a while she sat up with a look of wonder in her eyes and said: "Do you know what we saw at school, Mommy?" "What did you see at school?" I inquired calmly. "A grasshopper!" she exclaimed. "What colour was it?" I asked. "Brown," said she "but I'm still angry!" After a second of glaring at me she returned to her position of huff and that was that.
It was a magic moment!
Here's another one:
There is a couple in our community who are both very tall. The gentleman must be over seven foot tall and his wife is by no means towered over by him. They are an elderly couple and so, luckily have many years experience of dealing with people looking at them in wonder. I am sure they have seen this before:
Sean, Shannon, Jordan and I were heading into a shop which this couple were coming out of. Shannon, as normal for small children, was not looking where she was going. At the last minute she turned round, looked up and said "Wow!!!" in a loud, surprised voice as she saw them in front of her. It was such an instinctive reaction that could never be re-enacted with such awe. All the other people going in and out of the shop, including the lofty couple, heard her and laughed. As one chap said, they're tall to us, imagine how tall they must be to her. Through the eyes and out of the mouth of my child! Oh to be 4 again, just to remember!
Mother of two
16 years ago
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7 comments:
My children having grown up and flown the nest, I thought that I would never experience first hand these wonderful insights into a child's look at life.
But I have been very lucky to have the chance of a second bite of [step]parenthood. My to-be step-daughter is also 4 years old and a Kenyan village child.
Taking her into the local town and just watching her face as she takes in the hustle and bustle of an African town is a sight to behold.
I am very lucky! Parenthood (even with a step- in front of it) is a wonderful thing.
Wow - I think you are very lucky. It must be even more fun the second time round as you have a wealth of experience to fall back on. Not sweating the small stuff must create more time for enjoyment.
I think your daughter is lucky too to have a father who wants to see the world through her eyes!
I am never happier than when I can observe children (maybe I should re-phrase that!).
When I am in Kenya, I spend a lot of time at two orphanages with kids who have what they are standing up in and not a lot more.
It is so refreshing to see them enjoying themselves despite this.
Giving them a ball, or even a sweet causes intense excitement with the biggest smiles in the world. Those smiles are worth £1M.
Coming back to the UK I am sick of hearing kids using "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" as an excuse to mug, destroy, and generally run wild.
Small kids are wonderful, innocent and they say what they see. And African kids, of any colour of creed are the best of the lot.
Absolutely brilliant!
My little step-daughter calls me "My Mzungu" and woe betide any other kid who tries to get my attention when she is around - even her brother.
I am slowly learning Swahili and she English, so we can actually talk to each other, but it is not really necessary. She speaks volumes with her eyes.
I'm rambling - sorry!
hello - what a lovely post I really enjoyed it and will be back for more. Glad you stopped by my blog as now I can find yours again!
Wow, what a great post! I love that she huffs off and then sneaks back, that's a child who knows she's loved.
Hi Mom/Mum, nice to see you!
Thanks Sparx!
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