She Flatters Us So
If what they say is true, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that flattery will get you anywhere, then I have two words for the fate of our parenting strategies:Uh-oh.
Kaeta gives the sweetest hugs in the world. And when she hugs us, we can't help but say, "Awww. What a sweet hug!" So recently she started saying "ahhh," as she hugs us -- that is what you say when you hug someone, of course!
And when she gives kisses, she'll come at your face with her mouth wide open and plant one on you with a big "MWAH!," just like we do to her. It just melts my heart a million times over when she shows such affection, because she is so young and she has seen so little, but one thing she does know is that you give the people you love big hugs and big kisses and you say "ahhh" and "mwah" to let them know you really care.
Last week as I was getting the bath ready for Kaeta, I did a little test to see if the water was too warm. One of her duckies has an indicator on the bottom that says "HOT" if the water is too hot. So as the water was running, I held the ducky under the water for a minute until I was sure that the temperature was good. So I put Kaeta in the tub, gave her duckies to play with (she has three -- a darling little ducky family, complete with Mommy Ducky, Daddy Ducky, and Baby Ducky), and I looked up and she was HOLDING HER BABY DUCKY UNDER THE RUNNING WATER. Well? Isn't that what we do with the duckies around here?
As touched and flattered as I am to see her mimic the things we do, I must admit that it scares the bejeebers out of me. This young, sweet child not only sees what I'm doing, but she soaks it in so completely that the next thing I know she's doing exactly the same thing. And she doesn't even know why she's doing it. She doesn't need a reason -- she just knows that if that's what Mommy or Daddy does, then that must be what we do. I can think of little else that is as sobering than that. So yeah, we need to think carefully about what we do and say around here, because someone is always watching. Like a hawk.
And as much as her reaction scares me, I have to say that my reaction is what scares me more. Because so far it's always the same: utter heart-melting joy, pride, and adoration. "Aww, look at her holding the ducky under the water. Isn't that adorable?... Aww, did you hear her say "ahhh" as she hugged you? That's so sweet.... Aww, look at her climbing the stairs all by herself! She's a pro!.... Aww, look at her trying to chop those vegetables with the sharp knife just like Daddy..." All she has to do is just give us her adorable little chipmunk grin and we'll give her whatever she wants. After all, she just wants to be just like Mommy and Daddy. Aww. THAT'S what scares me.
Today when Derek came home, he put his hat on Kaeta's head. She loves to wear Daddy's hat.
 |  |  |
But if I were to try to put a cute little bonnet on her head to match her pretty little Sunday dress, she would rip it off her head and toss it aside in a matter of seconds. She does not like to wear hats. She likes to wear Daddy's hat. Imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery. You cannot get any more sincere than a ten-month-old baby. So we should not be scared by it but we should take this incredible opportunity to teach Kaeta about God's love for her.
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
(Oh, and just so we don't get bombarded with hate mail followed by a visit from CPS, NO, WE HAVE NEVER GIVEN OUR CHILD A SHARP KNIFE TO PLAY WITH. Nor a dull knife. Nor will we. At least not until she's old enough to run with scissors.)
posted by Karianne | 2:01 PM, Wednesday, August 30, 2006
|
0 comments
