So that was a little embarrassing. Simon has picked up a few new tricks of late, chief among them the ability to undress and dress himself with minimal help. He can’t tie his shoes, but as of a few days ago he can do everything else unless a pair of pants or shorts has an inside tie or tricky clasp.
Last night, he took off his clothes and beamed at me. Then he pulled on his pajama bottoms, and beamed some more. And then he put on his pajama top all by himself and almost exploded with joy. He clearly wanted me to say something; I chose this time to get a little misty.
“Wow, Simon,” I offered.” Look at you! I’m so proud of you, but maybe a little sad, too.”
“Why sad, Mama?”
“Well, you are just growing up so fast, learning how to do so many things, and getting so independent. Before I know it, you won’t need me any more.”
Simon took a moment, but just a moment, to digest what I had just said.
“Oh Mama, I’ll still need your help to get dressed some times—like when I’m really tired or bored.”
I was flabbergasted. My four-year-old boy—four-and-three-quarters if you want to get technical, which Simon usually does—understood what I told him and decided to throw his mama a bone. Mama is going to have to monitor herself a bit better. But you know, I was almost more proud of what he understood and said than the self-dressing that prompted the discussion in the first place.
Little boy is quickly becoming a bigger boy, but a considerate bigger boy who is very tuned in to the idea of not hurting feelings.
Well done Mom and Dad.
I don’t know–I think it’s good for kids to know their parents get sad. And tired. And cranky. And scared. All that good human stuff.