For-My-Kids.com

My wife Karen just had hernia repair surgery which was supposed to be out-patient based. Once the surgeon started he found that there were two hernia and they were both larger than he had expected. He also discovered that the mesh from another hernia repair wasn't doing its job and he had to replace it. While removing the mesh he found the intestine had attached itself to the mesh and he went about trying to knocking it loose frm the mesh. He ended up tearing a hole in the intestine and had to stitch that up. So now my wife is in pain, in a hospital room, on a liquid diet and running a fever. I have a virus and she said "Stay away! The last thing I need right now is a cold that makes me cough." I have complied with that wish but I do miss not seeing my wife.
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I have a lawn tracter whose key I kept in a drawer in my bedroom. Andrew had found it without my knowledge and had it for more than a couple of weeks. The key ring also contained the key to the storage building where I keep the mower. I have an extra key to the building but I don't have an extra key to the mower. I was getting the mower ready for use but discovered that I didn't have the key. I took Andrew's gameboy after assessing that he was indeed the one who had taken the key. He kept bugging me for the gameboy of course and tonight, after about 10 days, I have the key to the mower. The key to the building is missing from the key ring but at least I can now start the mower.
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When Jonathan was born he was a big boy, a cool 10 pounds and 4 onces and 22 inches long. By the time his brother Andrew was born he was large or in other words looked older than two, more like four. Jonathan was concerned that others were surprised that he was only two. He wanted to tell people that he was three even though his birthday was still a few months away. It is often amazing at how much we shape our little ones thoughts by such meaningless comments. We are really shaping and molding an adult with the words and comments our little ones hear from other adults.

Anyway, back to the subject, I had suggested to Jonathan that instead of saying he was three to tell others that he was two and three quarters. He is brilliant in math and his brilliance did shine even at two and three quarters; he understood that three forths of the year had already passed. He was a hoot telling others when they asked how old he was. They would laugh and thought he was so cute. With Jonathan saying his age was two and three quarters no one commented on how old he looked; they commented on how cute he was.

Although not really realizing the benefits at the time, in reflection I can see that my suggestion of two and three quarters benefitted Jonathan a great deal. He didn't have to lie about his age. He made others laugh and he was pleased with their comments when he told his age. Words can shape and mold young impressionable minds. Be careful of the words you give your kids.

Earnie
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