On the way home from school, K told me, "I have a lot of work to do with M. I have to teach him a lot of things and also train him."
When I asked what kind of training she had in mind, she mentioned the following:
walking properly
not getting in puddles
jumping
throwing/catching a ball
talking with his mouth [not signs]
She was as good as her word: she guided him around the puddles (is it ridiculously rainy anywhere else right now?) and picked him up around the middle to make him jump.
She has also been trying to encourage him to talk. "M, say DINOSAUR. Say DISHWASHER. Go on, say DISHWASHER." She doesn't see the point in starting small.
We have been relying on the closed-door system (all inside doors closed so he can't get anywhere he's not allowed), but a few weeks ago I noticed an open door that had been closed... I mentioned it to the Slovak (I think M may have opened the door, watch out) and K said, "Oh, I taught him that." I asked, "WHY would you show him that?? Now he can get in our rooms!" She gave me a withering look and said, "He has to learn things. I wanted to teach him something new. You want him to LEARN, don't you?"
Now when she complains that he went in her room and played with her toys, I say, "That's so sad...too bad someone taught him how to open doors, huh?"
She says I didn't sufficiently warn her of the risks beforehand. I probably didn't. (And, of course, it was only a matter of time before he figured it out anyway.)
Last week while I was picking her up from school, a slightly smaller boy showed her his gap where he lost a tooth. K admired it and I could see the wheels in her brain turning, going "But I haven't lost a tooth yet..." (she has already voiced her dissatisfaction with this situation).
After a second she turned to her brother (standing next to them) and opened his mouth to display his teeth. "He's growing lots of teeth. Well, he doesn't have a lot. But more than he used to have." M is easy-going enough that he didn't resist.
He just wants to be helpful. I'm sure he was also trying to help when he broke about a dozen and a half eggs on the floor in front of the refrigerator last week. Right?
Her response to you about teaching him to open doors is perfect! She cracks me up. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! I love the interactions between siblings as well- my both girls love their little brother, especially my eldest... It's amazing how they can bond with siblings!
ReplyDeleteRach, that line has become an instant classic in our house. :)
ReplyDeleteOlga, I'm not sure about you, but I was surprised to find that the sibling relationship, including conversations, actually started BEFORE M was born. K would talk to the baby inside the belly, doing both sides of the conversation herself, and get upset if he kicked her, for instance. We always got a good laugh out of that. I'm glad your girls are enjoying their baby brother!
Oh, we are in for some fun when our older son decides he needs to start training his little brother! This is hilarious! I love that she started with "dinosaur" and "dishwasher." Why start small?
ReplyDeleteit's amazing how much the bigger one is willing/wants to teach the little one...and then correct him/her as they get older!
ReplyDeleteReb, what's really amazing to me is how the little one PUTS UP WITH IT. And actually seems to enjoy it. Of course the big one puts up with a lot of uncivilized behavior from the little one, too...
ReplyDeletelkgmita, I'm sure your older boy will teach his little brother all the really important things in life, like dinosaurs. :)