It happens to parents all the time. You work and work and work with your child, encouraging, stimulating, teaching. You look forward to each new step - and then they spring something on you out of left field, something you had NO IDEA they were working on.
Take my eldest. When she was 17 months old, I was helping her with her burgeoning vocabulary. I was delighting in her efforts to jump. (Getting off the ground with two feet at the same time is no easy task!) She could identify 'red' and 'yellow', and we were working on 'blue'. She was learning all sorts of things, and I was with her, every step of the way.
I hadn't yet learned that I didn't control everything she learned. I would have agreed with that idea, had you said it to me at the time, but I didn't really understand the concept. I hadn't experienced it.
I hadn't experienced it, that is, until one quiet Sunday summer afternoon. Naptime. She was snoozing on a mat on her bedroom floor, the door closed. Mommy and daddy were in their room. Our door was closed, too. We were secure - a triple layer of safety: the nap, and two shut doors. Because our baby? She couldn't open doorknobs.
We were busily ... napping... when...
SMACK! A small hand landed with a decisive thwak on her father's shoulder, and a reproving voice cut the air.
"BAD daddy! OFF Mommy!!"
Guess what she learned, when I wasn't looking??
That's HILARIOUS! And it's hard enough to find the time and energy to ... ahem... "nap" when there's a toddler about.
Posted by: Ms. Huis Herself | December 13, 2006 at 04:55 AM
ROTFL!
We take advantage of lazy/late mornings when mine eats breakfast with her booster seatbelt firmly tied in a knot!
Off subject, have you heard how Laura is doing? No details needed/wanted -- just want to hear that all is well.
Posted by: Allison | December 13, 2006 at 08:48 AM
Ms. Huis - damned straight. We installed a hook and eye latch on our door the next day. She could still interrupt, but at least she wouldn't get the full visuals...
Allison - Wow. You two must indulge in some pretty efficient napping! I think the seatbelt would have worked for all of 90 seconds with any of my kids. Unless yours is a slow and dedicated eater?
Posted by: Mary P | December 14, 2006 at 11:29 AM
Oh gawd. You didn't just tell that story to the entire universe at large. I am so embarrassed. Ba ha, just kidding. I've told that story a few times myself. It just kills me.
Posted by: Haley | December 14, 2006 at 12:17 PM
Reminder to self: Place hefty chair under bedroom doorknob. *g*
Posted by: Kat O+ | December 14, 2006 at 01:57 PM
bwahahahahahaha!!! Thanks for sharing that one!!
Posted by: Victoria | December 18, 2006 at 08:51 AM
Cannot.. stop... laughing...
Posted by: Deanna | January 08, 2007 at 12:27 AM