This is a continuing account of the nine-year-old girl. Prior to us starting the month, the father gave us house keys and a door key to a guest room. We could lock up whatever item deemed dangerous or interfering with daily lessons.
On the Friday right before their return to home town date (Tuesday), our sassy girl threw a challenge at my son. She thought he wouldn't dare to lock up her five soft toys. Normally he is a most patient and mild person, but throw him a serious challenge and you are going to have it- exactly what one does not want to happen.
And so the five soft toys were in detention over the week end. For the following two hours, she ranted. She screamed. She cried. She begged. To no avail! Then she calmed down and it was as if nothing unusual had happened.
The next Monday, we found her almost another person. Her American accent was fading. She began to make small grammar mistakes. Her voice was less shrill. She was less intense. Even her facial expression seemed different, less I-know-better-than-you and no more smirk. She run less. She looked for snacks less frequently. The desire to strut around naked was gone.
She began begging for the soft toys to be released. After ten minutes of argument, she gave up. We told her everything in the room would come out and the keys would be returned to her dad at 5pm. It was quite an extra-ordinary experience to underline how important it was for parents to choose toys, TV programs and activities that bring good influence to their children.
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