It's So Cute It Could Make Your Head Explode

My three-year-old has entered the phase where almost anything you say to her inspires the question, "Why?"

This does not appear to be a short phase....

Watching What You Say....

The conventional wisdom is correct: When you have a two-year-old, words you use in front of your child can quickly come back to haunt you. So, as much as possible, I attempt to moderate my language. Not that I'm claiming to have reached a point even close to perfection, but I try not to make any comment more offensive than, "Come on, Loser".

A couple of days ago when I was stopped at a red light, with no car in front of me, I heard a little voice come from the back of the car. "Come on, loser!" "Is Daddy a loser," I asked. "Yes." (I got a good chuckle out of that.)

The next day we were stopped behind another car. Again I hear, "Come on, loser!" An opportunity for a teachable moment? Let's see how well I did:

"Emma, you know how when people do something that isn't nice you like to tell them, 'That's not nice'? Well, calling people 'losers' isn't nice. So when you hear Daddy say, 'Come on, loser", I want you to say 'That's not nice'. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"So if I say, 'Come on, loser', you say 'That's not nice'."

"Okay."

Emma then addressed the car that remained stopped in front of us, "Come on, loser - that's not nice!"

A Grammar Lesson Best Left To A Later Date

After a trip to the home of indoor playgrounds, games, and something that they claim is pizza....

Emma: My Chucky Cheese.
Mommy: No, my Chucky Cheese.
Emma: My Chucky Cheese.
Mommy: Okay, your Chucky Cheese.
Emma: No, I'm Emma.

(I know your/you're is a grammar pet peeve for many people, but for a two-year-old I think we can forgive the confusion.)

Christmas Tips for Parents of Two-Year-Olds

If you have gifts wrapped to take to a relative's house and leave them within reach, don't be surprised to hear the sound of ripping paper accompanied by the question, "What's this?"

If you label those gifts with a Sharpie, don't be surprised if.... [Your imagination is probably not as bad as the reality. ;-)]

Don't be surprised when the two-year-old finds the greatest joy in (a) unwrapping presents, and (b) the cheapest gift she receives.