Never Underestimate the Power of an Excellent Diversion
My Zen Baby has discovered the concept of "scary." Which, given the last two years of her life, is hardly surprising. Of course, she's probably had the concept mastered for a while; now, however, she has the words to go with it.
"Mama I skeered," she tells me, looking at the old lady lingering in the foyer of our buliding.
"Ssssh, Baby. There's nothing to be scared of'," I quietly reassure her, searching for my keys.
"No Mama! That skeery. I skeered!" She insists, pointing at the woman, who looks like Central Casting's idea of a wicked witch.
"It's ok, Regan." I tell her, mentally smacking myself for not having the key ready when we came in the door. I saw the woman there. I thought to myself for at least the thousandth time how stereotypically frightening she looks with her small, shrivelled frame, her babushka and shawl, her hooked nose so prominent in a sunken face endlessly folded with wrinkles. I even wondered if Zen Baby would comment on her, given her toddler-driven impluse to narrate her experiences. But then I dismissed the possiblity for such a social faux pas as unlikely. For one thing, we've passed this woman hundreds of times since we've lived her, and Regan hasn't ever given any indication that she is even aware of her. And, more importantly, my daughter doesn't speak in front of strangers. At all. It's one of the constants of life with Zen Baby.
Except, not today.
"No!" She tells me forcefully. It NOT okay. That lady skeery!"
Well, there goes any hope that the "Skeery Lady" isnt aware of our conversation. Isn't that just the way with kids? I spend the past year hoping that Regan will overcome her shyness and talk openly in public. And now? Now I just want her to be quiet.
"Hey!" I say brightly, finally wrestling open the heavy door. "Wanna push the elevator button?"
Comments
My son has just recently decided that he doesn't like Chicken Little (The Movie) anymore because of the scary aliens. He used to LOVE that movie so much. Go figure
My gal pal's little girl was the flower girl in my wedding....she was horrified of my husband. Turns out she was afraid because "he is bald under his hair". He has really really curly hair and you can see his scalp under it. Strange things kids pick to fear. We had Korryn flush her bad feelings down the toliet and she has had nothing but love for my Hub.
