manners

teaching how to be kind and manners to your little ones is a big part of parenting .... for most. while i do believe that they are important in society, i do think that teaching them to kids is tricky. i remember reading in alfie kohn's book unconditional parenting (so good!) that in telling our kids to say sorry, thank you, please, etc. when they don't really mean it, is in fact teaching them how to lie. uhh, makes sense to me. so, we (sometimes I) usually refrain from insisting that kai voice certain feelings (unless by his choice), and hope that he'll learn through observation and innately, by discussing with him why he chooses to do what he does. this week, though, inside i was secretly wishing he chose to be a little more kind.

1st scenario: we went to our neighbor's third birthday, and on the way he told me repeatedly he didn't want to play, just eat cake! and voiced this preference when we got to the party. (luckily they had cake).

2nd scenario: walking home yesterday, we passed by our neighbor working in the yard and stopped for a short chat. he asked why her hair looked so funny. luckily she's a little hard of hearing.

**inserting unrelated text: we're all hanging in the living room right now..... kai just busted out this question: "daddy, i'm going to the store to get some rubbers!" no, no not the kind you're thinking. he was referring to the rubber tires are made out of. classic.

love how the 3 yr old mind works.
have a relaxing, spring weekend!