I got the honor of picking Eden up from school today, which is rare due to my work schedule. It was my day off and I had scheduled a Mommy & Eden lunch date and haircut immediately following preschool pick-up.
We got into our car and were pulling out of the parking lot when I asked the routine question of "How was your day?". Eden gave a generic response of "good" and began telling me about her day. It began with little routine things, but as we continued towards our lunch destination, her voice got more quiet. It had begun to rain and my wipers were now on. I asked her to speak up and turned the radio down. Curious as to why she was beginning to get so quiet, I asked her to repeat herself "What babe? What did you say? Mama can't hear you for the wipers. Speak up. Something about Rosie?" (Name changed to protect privacy *smile*)
In her tiniest voice, she mumbled "well, it wasn't a good day for Rosie. It was a good day to start, but it wasn't a good day at the end for Rosie."
Concerned, I said "Uh oh. What happened to Rosie?"
"Well she got a time out for pushing me."
Ever the weary mother I said "Oh...well, was Rosie angry with you? Had you maybe said something to upset her? You didn't push her did you?"
Now speaking louder and with a little defense, "No. I didn't push her. Yeah, she was upset with me."
"Well what was she upset with you for?"
"I told her if I didn't tell the truth that she'd get in really really really really big really big really really trouble."
"Huh?"
This toddler conversation went on back and forth between the two of us for some time and I'll spare you the length by saying that finally I figured out the following storyline...
Class was outdoors playing and as they lined up to come in, Mrs. B asked the class to 'drop the leaves and leave them outside'. All the little girls in Eden's little group did, except for Rosie. They came in and got into their circle and Rosie brought out her leaves into the middle of the circle. Mrs. B didn't see who had brought them in and asked "Who brought in the leaves?" None of the little girls answered. She asked them individually "Eden, did you bring in the leaves? Rosie, did you bring in the leaves?" Each girl responded "no". Mrs. B obviously knew one of them was lying and asked if anyone knew who brought the leaves in. All the girls fell silent. Then she asked them individually "Eden, do you know who brought the leaves in?" When Mrs. B came around to Eden and one other little girl, they both said that Rosie had brought the leaves in. When Rosie heard this, she began to cry. Mrs. B was going to only tell Rosie to clean up the leaves and "pull a ticket", but as she was about to tell her this, Eden began consoling Rosie and telling her it was OK and Rosie pushed Eden away. Apparently, this got little Rosie into more trouble and she ended up losing her sticker for the day and having to sit in timeout.
So after this conversation, my cell phone rings. It was the parent of little Rosie calling to apologize and asking if she could have Rosie talk to Eden on the phone, as they wanted her to apologize to Eden. Their conversation (because Eden only knows how to talk on speaker phone) went like this...
Eden: Hello?
Rosie: I'm sorry for pushing you and being ugly, Eden
Eden: Well I just didn't want you to get in big really really really big trouble, Ok, Rosie?
Rosie: I know
Eden: Cause you're my best friend and I love you and I didn't want you to get in really really big really really trouble
Rosie: I know, I'm sorry
Eden: That's OK. I love you
Rosie: So can you come over for a playdate?
Eden:
Well, not today cause I have to get my hair cut, but maybe tomorrow?
Rosie: OK
Eden: I love you
Rosie: I love you too!
Eden: See you tomorrow! Bye!
You can only imagine that when I retold the story to Christian I could hardly keep from sobbing. I was just so proud of her that she would tell the truth, even though she knew little "Rosie" was going to be angry with her.
Our lunch conversation was a good one. I praised her for telling the truth even though it was hard and even though she knew her best friend would be mad. She told me that she was "confused" as to what to do at first, but knew she didn't want Rosie to get in "big really really trouble". I just told her again how proud I was of her. Made me feel like for a moment...how grown up she's becoming and how, maybe some of what we try and teach her is sinking in.
That was, until she bit her sister later on in the bathtub and claimed Isla bit herself! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
All in a day of motherhood....:)
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