No More Monkeys Jumping On Bed!

Stranger Danger

Maybe I've got it all backwards, but I don't try to get the kids to be afraid of strangers.

In fact, I try to get them to be confident enough to go up and to talk to anyone, at any time.

Am I worried that they might be abducted? Not really. I never let them out of my sight, or the sight of someone else who can take care of them.

What are they going to need to do as adults? Be afraid of everyone and unable to talk to new people? That's sure not going to help them much. Better to be able to know how to talk to as many different people as possible.

So no, the kids are not being taught "stranger danger."

Get In The Car!

Papa: Ok kids, jump into the car please.

Stephen: Noooo? Me no juuuump? Me cliiiimb!

Papa: Oh yes, you're right Stephen, please CLIMB into the car.

Monsters Pretend

Stephen started going through a phase where he started becoming afraid at times. It turned out that he was afraid of monsters that he thought were in the darkness lurking somewhere.

Papa: Stephen, monsters are pretend.

Stephen: Monsters pretend?

Papa: Yes, monsters are pretend.

Stephen: Oh!

He still needs occasional reassurance sometimes when he becomes afraid and will ask again.

Stephen: Monsters pretend?

Papa: Yes, monsters are pretend.

Stephen: Oh!

He and Sarah by themselves also figured out that Superman and Spiderman are pretend. However, they think that Santa Claus is real.

The Little Gentleman

Stephen is a little gentleman in almost everything he does. He says please and thank you without being prompted. Whenever he gets some candy or something special he immediately wants to share it with Sarah or make sure that she gets some and knows about it too. And anytime if he has a difference with Sarah, Mama, or Papa he is usually very quick to try to make amends and to give and receive a hug.

Papa (hands Stephen something)
Stephen (beaming): Thank you Papa!

Yes

Stephen just switched from saying "yeah" to pronouncing "yes".

Stephen: Yes!

Me Happy!

Stephen is at the age when he starts to form sentences with very basic grammar.

Sarah: The voy a matar!
Stephen: Me sad!

Papa comes home. Sarah and Mama are yelling and crying.
Stephen (looking me in the eye): Papa, me happy!

Stephen (putting on a sweatshirt): Papa, hold. This. Banana. Hold. This. Rock.

Stephen (climbing very quickly into his car seat): Papa, me FAST!