Have you ever had a realization that is just so simple, and if you learned it earlier maybe things might've been easier?
Thats happened to me!
I've realized that when Eli is standing at my feet whining or pulling on my leg he often times just wants to be involved or help. The other day I was putting dishes away and he started whining. So I lifted him up and placed him on the counter in front of the cutlery drawer. I grabbed the basket of cutlery and placed it in front of him. Sure enough, he reached in grabbed a utensil and handed it to me. We did this with every utensil, one by one. He'd choose one, hand it to me, I put it away and he hands me the next one!
This morning as I was getting my cereal ready for breakfast I grabbed the box of mini wheats and he reaches up for it. I handed it to him, and he carries it over to the counter and places it on the floor.
He just wants to help and be involved. Believe it or not when he's hanging on my leg whining he's not just trying to get under my skin!?
I see how he's starting to understand better as well, even if he isn't talking. Lots of babbling, and things that sound like words, but not really any real talking. Last night we had company over and I was pulling our dessert out of the oven. Eli started walking over and I said very firmly "No, Eli. Back up." He stopped dead in his tracks, and took one step back and stood there. I had to start laughing because I couldnt believe he actually listened to me! Must've been the tone of voice! Yesterday as well, he pulled all the magnets off the fridge. When it was time to tidy up I said "Eli, could you please help me put the magnets back on the fridge?" And sure enough one by one he put all the magnets back on the fridge!
That kid understands more than he lets on, and maybe its time I start accepting that he's actually turning into a little boy with a mind of his own, and wants of his own!
We're hanging out around home today, and in fact Eli already decided he was going to take us for a walk this morning. Off we went to the park, and by the time he was done (which was up and done the slide once!!) he was covered in wet sand... I guess I should've remembered that maybe there would be dew on the slide. Ooops. He had fun needless to say!
Anyways, Eli is down for a nap, so Im thinking Im going back to bed for a nap too!!
2 comments:
I hear you with the help thing. It's hard to believe little ones want to help (and can!), but little things like that are a great way to make them truly "feel part of the family"
Hey Karla,
It can be such a pain to let them help when they are little. And it may seem like it takes forever to get something done. But I truly encourage you to let him help as often as possible. Teach him to help now, while it's fun and he wants too, because if you don't it will be a HUGE battle the day you decide that he is old enough to help and he doesn't want to because you've turned him down in the past. (I'm not saying that your not letting him help now.)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Prov. 22:6
You are doing a great job as a mom. I hope I get to meet your little man before he gets to old!
Love you!!
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