Lessons from Nadya

This week Nadya has taught me a few life lessons:

1. One day I took the kids to campus to swap cars with Matt. On the way I said, "We're going to pick up Daddy." "Oh no!" Nadya replied. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Daddy fall down." It took me a few seconds before I understood what Nadya was concerned about then realized that to a toddler who still takes all phrases in the most literal way possible, she thought her Daddy had fallen and we were going to campus to literally pick him up off the ground. I quietly laughed out loud and assured her Daddy was okay. How many other things have I said to her that she's taken the wrong way and brought on a lot of confusion or sometimes even a tantrum? These of course can't all be avoided, but it was a good reminder of where she's at in her language development and I'll do my best to clearly explain when I can.

2. A few days ago Nadya was playing on the bottom step of the basement with her stuffed animals when I heard her saying to them "Time Out!" followed by "Look at me!" That sounded pretty familiar. The bottom step of the basement is frequented by Nadya herself when she does something that deserves a time out. The way we discipline our children and the words we use definitely make in impression, even at just barely 2 years old.

3. As most of you know we're working on potty training in our house and part of that process is to allow Nadya to come into the bathroom when I use the toilet aka "potty". One day this week after I used the potty Nadya's eyes grew big and she began clapping and exclaiming, "Good job Mommy! Good job!" Just as children take in the way we discipline, they also take in the way we encourage. I've apparently been a pretty good cheerleader for her in the bathroom and I hope to be just as good in the rest of the house!