Am I Getting Through?

Welcome to those newcomers to this blog. I figured telling my wife about it would keep it between us for about 15 minutes, to be fair I think she actually waited a couple of days. Oh well, added pressure to write better.

One is never quite prepared for when their child starts responding to complex instructions. I mean beyond sit, stop, and no. For me it was a month ago or so when I noticed that Gavin had grabbed some scrap paper in the office and was seeing if it tasted good. Out of exasperation (it had been a long day), I said "Gavin, just throw it away please". And was shocked completely when he did. Knowing that throwing away meant the trash can rather than any other area is actually a big step for little ones. I was quite impressed, but also now cautious as we had passed the time where casual slips of the tounge could be forgiven as Gavin wouldn't understand anyway.

I've always made sure I say please to kids. I think if I'm going to expect them to say it to me, I should at least say it to them. Fair is fair. The same holds with Gavin. Though he cannot say please, many of his day care friends now do, as they know this is the magic word to participate in the "bouncy game" I play when I pick him up at the end of the day. I always asked Charlotte to say it, and it didn't take long to have the other kids catch on. Now I have to spend 10 minutes doing all the kids before I can leave. It can be pretty exhausting, but that's the price you pay for spreading good manners I guess.

Its wierd now that when I ask Gavin to do something, there's a good chance he might actually do it. The exception is "Come here" when we're outside. I know he understands it, he's just ignoring me because he's exploring. I'd be mad except I know I'd do (and did) the same thing. Besides, I can still run faster than he can.

Our playtime is much more fun now as I can say "Go get mommy!", or "I'm gonna get you!" and he responds accordingly. What's fun, is now when confronted with Gavin and Charlotte wanting in someplace they're not supposed to go, I can grab Gavin and tell him to get mommy, then grab Charlotte and tell her to get Gavin. Crisis averted, kids diverted.

He's just changed his schedule, and is doing 1 nap on weekends. But on the bright side he lets us sleep in more (for now). Also he hasn't fought nap time much, and bed time at all. He knows the routine, and he knows he's tired.

The largest sign of our improved communications just happened over the weekend. He was playing with his toy hammer, and then decided to take a couple of whacks at daddy. Probably following some instructions Alix left him during her visit (and don't deny that you'd do it, we both know you would). I told him that was quite unacceptable and took the hammer. He looked sad at me, but didn't cry. He seemed to ponder his action, and that I was sad too. He then came over and gave me my first real hug from him (as opposed to the running and falling on me). That was worth the hammer whack.