Encouragement

A. is super affectionate, outgoing, and just has a big personality.  She’s quick to give hugs and kisses and if you tell her you love her she’ll say it right back.  (My personal favorite is when I tell her “I love you, little A.” and she tells me “I love you, big Mommy.”)  She also tends to mimic my less desireable traits.  It’s amazing how much she sounds like me when she tells her dolls to get in time out – this! instant!   Or, when she tells me that what I did was NOT! NICE! (complete with angry face and finger shake!!!!)

So our exchange this afternoon was refreshing.  It’s always nice to feel like a good Mom.  I was struggling to open a bottle of soda.  The cap was on really tight and I probably should have just given up except I really needed my caffeine fix.  A. stood next to me on the “stepping stool” and cheered me on as I tried different rubber grips.  “Good job, Mommy! You can do it, Mommy! That’s it, Mommy! You’re a good, Mommy!”  with little pats on my back the whole time.  And it wasn’t even something I was doing for her.