The Bee is a better woman than I am
Recently, I was wringing my hands about the fact that the Bee seems to have adopted my early method of no-hold-barred, go-for-the-jugular fighting.
This morning, she and the Potato were having one of their squabbles in the other room, while I was eating breakfast. The Potato said, "I hate you!" to her (unfortunately, in his current state of language development, that actually sounds cute coming out of his mouth–more like "I hat oo!").
And you know what she did?
She said, "that's okay, I love you anyway."
I got all teary, and I went in and told her how proud I was of her for saying that. There just might be hope for us both.
chichimama said,
May 28, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Aw. I wonder if we’ll ever get to that over here…
Sandra said,
May 28, 2006 at 7:40 pm
So sweet. And actually, quite an effective technique for disarming one’s opponent–a good kind of one-upsmanship.
Ashley said,
May 28, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Excellent! Good going Bee and so very thoughtful too.
emma goldman said,
May 28, 2006 at 8:58 pm
that is so fucking cool. And you did exactly the right thing by noticing and reinforcing that behavior. the next step for everyone will be figuring out how to express anger and/or frustration without personalizing it (”I hate YOU”), but, hey, one step at a time! It really is cool.
chip said,
May 29, 2006 at 5:26 pm
we just got back from a multiple hour car ride, and we had waves of squabbling and fighting alternating with waves of wonderful sibling interactions. I don’t know how much longer I can survive the ups and downs… But the ups do make it all worthwhile, and make me realize that there is hope my kids will grow up into wonderful caring, nice, civilized adults…
Beverlee said,
May 29, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Awww. So sweet. She’s raising the potato to be a sweet, loving, man. Yay!
Jim said,
May 30, 2006 at 6:04 am
I just wonder what she’d say to….
MOOBS!!!!
christie said,
May 30, 2006 at 9:48 am
awwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
doth said,
May 30, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Adorable!
Mere said,
May 30, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Well, see, she remembers the good things from you too. Of course there is hope.
alala said,
May 30, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Aww, what a sweetie.
Kate the Shrew said,
May 30, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Awww… what a girl.
It’s nice to see that your words are sinking in, even if it feels sometimes like they’re just going in one ear and out the other.
Carrie said,
May 30, 2006 at 9:58 pm
So sweet! I wish I was that mature.
Karl Laird said,
May 30, 2006 at 11:12 pm
As long as it wasn’t just because she knew mommy was listening… :-p
MetroDad said,
May 31, 2006 at 12:51 am
See, LM! Your preachings of nonviolence have paid off after all! Good for The Bee! I think that’s awesome!
politically incorrect mom said,
June 1, 2006 at 2:10 am
Sometimes just as I’m wondering, WHY DON’T WE HAVE AN ONLY CHILD??? (due to the constant fighting, competing, etc.) I will catch the two of them being so kind and sweet to each other. It really is incredible and it makes me so glad they have each other.
politically incorrect mom said,
June 1, 2006 at 2:10 am
That’s so sweet. Sometimes just as I’m wondering, WHY DON’T WE HAVE AN ONLY CHILD??? (due to the constant fighting, competing, etc.) I will catch the two of them being so kind and sweet to each other. It really is incredible and it makes me so glad they have each other.