Thursday, October 11, 2007

Words with two meanings

Tonight at dinner Chip was telling me the story about the school shooting in Ohio. Sweet Mia was sitting at the table with us and since she was actually eating her dinner we were able to have a conversation and didn't really think about her innocent ears overhearing this tragic story. Since I worked with kids at the hospital all the time trying clear up misconceptions of words with two meanings (i.e. stool, shot, flush, dressing, urnine (you're in), CAT, sleep etc.) I should have known better. But we messed up. Chip told me that after this boy shot kids at the school he then shot himself. When I asked Chip if he died he told me he did and then all of a sudden Mia chimed in and said "But Dad, I don't die when I get shots." There went all our therapeutic medical play and doctors office education right out the window. Poor girl, is trying so desperately to understand the world and then we messed it all up.
In order clear up the major misconception so she wouldn't be completely freaked out next time she has to get a shot, we had to give her the whole explanation about guns. When we asked her if she knew what a gun was she said "I have water guns." Who wants to tell their three year old that there are guns other than water guns? I guess this is just a great wake up call for me to remember that little ears hear everything and they can only understand it with their little mentality. I am just glad she said something so we could help her understand.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Modesty on Oprah

The other day I had Oprah on and Mia woke up from her nap. She always wants to snuggle and is somewhat amuzed by Oprah.

Mia: Mom, look at that beautiful shirt. I've never seen a shirt like that. (Talking about this green shirt on the right.)
Mom: Ya Mia, that is a beautiful shirt. (I was somewhat surprised that she would think that a green shirt is beautiful since it is a "boy color".)
Mia: Mom, I would really like a shirt like that.
Mom: You want a pretty green shirt.
Mia: No Mom, one were both of my shoulders can come out like that.

Here I was for a brief moment thinking that she might be interested in wearing something other than pink, or purple. I guess not, instead she is already interested in wearing off-the-shoulder shirts at the young age of three. What fights do I have to look forward to when she is thirteen?