#the freckling

[mysunfreckle]

I have somehow convinced my toddler so firmly of the effectiveness of vaccines that they now believe that, since they just had their shots, they are impervious to disease and should be allowed to lick the bath mat

[mysunfreckle]

When my toddler is truly distressed to the point of crying, they usually start out with "I want my mama!" or "I want my papa!" depending on which parent is not with them at that time (which is psychologically on the nose as it is). But after they have been brought to the desired comfort parent of the moment, they usually find this did not solve as much of their suffering as they require, and end up just sobbing: "I want! I want!"

And I don't know but, maybe that never goes away. Maybe every once in a while we all just need to allow our inner toddler to sob against our shoulder crying "I want"

[mysunfreckle]

The Freckling, now fully upgraded to toddler, has begun gleefully screeching at the top of their lungs whenever they have nothing to say but are nevertheless full of desires and feelings. In an attempt to curb these sonic attacks the husband has started to just Gaze Calmly in deliberate silence whenever it happens, until the Freckling starts to mirror him.

I'm a big fan because it really seems to help co-regulate their mood. But it does mean I walk in on my husband and child sitting at the dinner table like:

[mysunfreckle]

Rationally I know that reading my Freckling books with clearly expressed Big Feelings and colourful pictures of cute animals showing these feelings is very useful in teaching them how to recognise and name their own feelings. But emotionally I am not strong enough to keep a straight face while a toddler – lip a-quivering – informs me that they “feel nothing but sadness now, just like Red Panda”

[mysunfreckle]

It's toddler cuisine day again~

[mysunfreckle]

A truly illuminating conversation with the Freckling:

"When I am four I will go to primary school."

"Yes, that's right."

"And when I am unicorn I will go to unicorn school."

"When you're what?"

"When I am a unicorn I go to unicorn school."

"I see. Where is unicorn school?"

"Very far away."

"I s-"

"In Germany."

[mysunfreckle]

Freckling: Why do you have two hands?

Me: Most people have two hands. Not everyone, but most people.

Freckling, suspiciously: But not everyone.

Me: Yes, like some people who are born with one hand.

Freckling: And that is also good.

Me: Yes it is.

Freckling, indignant: Then why do I have two hands?

Me: Regardless of your number of hands, you'd still have to brush your teeth.

[mysunfreckle]

Just checked the baby monitor and saw my toddler dangling their colour-changing turtle-shaped clock over the edge of their bed, presumably because it has still not turned to the liberating green of morning