Full Time Grandparents

You'll Turn Into a Popsicle!
Mark reminded me today that children do not understand metaphors, sarcasm or any reference to intangible things. I used to know this about children. How the knowledge escaped me and when, is still a mystery. At the tender age of four, my grandson helped me relearn it. The odd thing was the timing of it. Many winters ago I operated a daycare in my home. I liked being able to work at home and still be available for my own four kids. One winter in particular stands out in my mind. At that time, I was caring for my sister Sue's kids along with a few neighborhood children. Winter was a challenge to say the least. Most of the kids were old enough to bundle themselves up to go out and play in the snow but there were always two babies added to the mix. Toddlers, who could not be persuaded that it was more fun to stay inside with me. Their little minds, I learned, were unable to grasp the true meaning of, "you'll turn into a Popsicle if you go out there"! Most kids like Popsicles. They're fruity and are offered as a tasty treat in the summer months. Warnings of that nature fell on uncomprehending ears. "I like Popsicles", replied one eager two year old, back then. Today, Mark wanted to play in the snow in the worst way. The thought of trying to wrestle his little sister into a snowsuit seemed daunting. Layla is a two year old that hates putting clothes on or taking them off. Diaper duty always reminds me of mud wresting. If I'm not careful I end up on the losing team and we both have to hit the showers! I told Mark that if we played our cards right we could go outside when Layla was napping. He would just have to wait until after lunch. I realized my mistake, by the look on his face, the minute I finished that sentence. He scrunched up his eyebrows and twisted his lips every which way and threw up his hands in frustration. "Me mere, I don't want to play cards, I want to go outside and play in the snow"!

Jack Frost
I chuckled a bit, which further exasperated him. I explained that he had just made me remember something funny. I gave in and dressed him up in his snow gear and shuttled him out the door with his grandfather. I then had to stuff Layla into her snowsuit. When she was fully encapsulated from head to toe, I extruded her out the door like something from a Play Doh factory! Her roly poly body resembled an overstuffed sausage. She was hilariously funny everytime she fell over backward in the snow. She would flap her arms and legs wildly, like a panicked turtle and squeal in delight! While we were out, trudging around the yard, I thought of my nephew Jacob and the funny event I had referred to earlier. Mark had reinforced a lesson in childrearing, that Jacob had taught me long ago. Jake was only four years old too, at the time. All the kids wanted to go play outside in the snow, just as Mark did today. It was the first very cold day and I did not relish the thought of bundling them up. I remember most of the kids were dressed and Jacob was just waiting for me to help him with his boots. As I pushed and pulled the boots on his squirmy feet, I looked through the kitchen window to watch the kids in the yard. It was hard to see them because there was so much frost on the window. I exclaimed, "Wow, Jack Frost came to visit us Jacob"! He froze, stiff as a board before he even made it out into the cold! "What's the matter honey"? I asked him. "I can't go outside auntie", he said. "Why not, I have you all set to go"? I asked, puzzled. "My mom said, to not go near strangers and I don't know Jack Frost" he offered. Apparently, I still didn't know Jack either! Once again, I had to learn that small children take words very literally. It took a lot of cajoling and convincing on that long ago winters day that Jack Frost was not a real person and Jacob would indeed be safe outside. It's funny how much we have forgotton about how to communicate with toddlers. Our grandchildren have no problem reminding us of all the things we used to know and must learn again. My nephew Jacob, is now the daddy of a toddler himself. I wonder what things she is teaching him? Chances are Jack Frost doesn't go anywhere near his house!