My Houseguests Do Not Stink Like Fish
I started writing a post about siblings and the massive wars they fight over property and territory, but my husband walked behind me and read what I wrote. If someone reads what I write in the middle of writing it, I lose all concentration and focus, and I just can't go on. I get all self-conscious and flustered, and the outline I had laid out in my head explodes and plasters my eyes with scrambled up letters so that I can no longer see. Since he should already know this about me (we've had this discussion before) I said,
"Ammon! You know I hate it when you read over my shoulder! Go away!"
And he said, "Oh, honey, that's one of the quirky things I love about you."
One of them? I asked him what the others were, and he told me he would mention them when they come up. Yikes.
Anyway, yeah. Property. Territory. It causes much dissension. Ok, I'm getting back on track here...
As E-- has become more and more mobile, A~ has found it increasingly difficult to protect her beloved toys and personal space. The old "bait and switch" method worked great for awhile for when E-- had a toy that A~ wanted, but that is no longer anywhere on the list of options. Nor can A~ block off her area of play any longer, because her sister is bigger and smarter than she used to be, and can get around pretty much any obstacle. However, this doesn't stop A~ from trying.
This evening she was going potty, and had been in the bathroom an inordinately long time. Upon entering, Ammon found that she had unraveled about half of the toilet paper, and was attempting to create a barricade in front of the toilet and sink. Never mind that toilet paper is just about as effective as AIR for keeping people out, but I guess she needed to feel like she was doing something. Poor thing. On one hand, I absolutely want to respect her need for space and distance, and support her independent nature. But I also want her to learn how to live peaceably in close contact with other members of her family. I really want to read Siblings Without Rivalry which I borrowed from my mother-in-law, but I keep picking up quick-reading chick lit that seems much more interesting. Any suggestions from the seasoned mom crowd?
On a side note, my sister-in-law came to visit with her kids over the weekend, and while she was here she cleaned our carpet. Let me repeat that for those of you who weren't paying attention: SHE CLEANED OUR CARPET FOR US. How stinkin' awesome is that? She has to be the best houseguest ever. EV-ERRR! Also? This is the second time she's done it. She says she likes to wash carpets! How cool is she? My in-laws may be a rowdy crowd (c'mon guys, you can't deny it) but they certainly know how to repay hospitality. What a good family to marry into. I am so smart.
"Ammon! You know I hate it when you read over my shoulder! Go away!"
And he said, "Oh, honey, that's one of the quirky things I love about you."
One of them? I asked him what the others were, and he told me he would mention them when they come up. Yikes.
Anyway, yeah. Property. Territory. It causes much dissension. Ok, I'm getting back on track here...
As E-- has become more and more mobile, A~ has found it increasingly difficult to protect her beloved toys and personal space. The old "bait and switch" method worked great for awhile for when E-- had a toy that A~ wanted, but that is no longer anywhere on the list of options. Nor can A~ block off her area of play any longer, because her sister is bigger and smarter than she used to be, and can get around pretty much any obstacle. However, this doesn't stop A~ from trying.
This evening she was going potty, and had been in the bathroom an inordinately long time. Upon entering, Ammon found that she had unraveled about half of the toilet paper, and was attempting to create a barricade in front of the toilet and sink. Never mind that toilet paper is just about as effective as AIR for keeping people out, but I guess she needed to feel like she was doing something. Poor thing. On one hand, I absolutely want to respect her need for space and distance, and support her independent nature. But I also want her to learn how to live peaceably in close contact with other members of her family. I really want to read Siblings Without Rivalry which I borrowed from my mother-in-law, but I keep picking up quick-reading chick lit that seems much more interesting. Any suggestions from the seasoned mom crowd?
On a side note, my sister-in-law came to visit with her kids over the weekend, and while she was here she cleaned our carpet. Let me repeat that for those of you who weren't paying attention: SHE CLEANED OUR CARPET FOR US. How stinkin' awesome is that? She has to be the best houseguest ever. EV-ERRR! Also? This is the second time she's done it. She says she likes to wash carpets! How cool is she? My in-laws may be a rowdy crowd (c'mon guys, you can't deny it) but they certainly know how to repay hospitality. What a good family to marry into. I am so smart.
September 18, 2005