Mommy In The Making

My 2-yr old daughter likes to play house. Only she doesn’t call it “house” like we used to when we were little. She wants to play “Mommy-Baby.” She is always the mommy for some reason. She practices taking care of everything and everyone – and she’s pretty good at it!

This morning, as our 5-yr old son was getting ready for school, she went and picked out his clothes (including new underwear and socks) and said “Here buddy, get dressed” and proceeded to start undressing him. Then she got his shoes for him and put them on him. Later, she said “Time for his medicine!” and took him by the hand to the kitchen. Afterwards, “Put your coat on now.” He did, but didn’t zip it. “Zip it bud, it’s very cold outside. Here, let me help you.”

He was utterly irritated with her for treating him “like a 2 year old,” (which is ironic). But after thinking further, he thought it was kind of sweet that she was taking care of him. “I guess she loves me, just like you do,” he said.

Allow me to toot my own horn here, but if she was playing mommy, she must have learned those actions from HER mommy. I guess all this time that I’ve been “playing” Mommy-Baby with my kids, it’s been noticed – maybe even appreciated. It brings me joy that she wasn’t yelling, spanking and criticizing her brother as they acted out their scene this morning.

Have you ever read that poem “Children Learn What They Live” – here it is if you haven’t. Or if you have, take a moment again. I thought of this as I watched my children interact and I feel so blessed:

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal. If children live with sharing, they learn generosity. If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children live with fairness, they learn justice. If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect. If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and others. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Have you hugged your children today? I can't wait to get home and scoop them up and drown them in kisses. God bless you for making future mommies and daddies we can be proud of!