SAY SOMETHING NICE

I think I tell my son what to say a LOT....

Say 'Thank You.'  Say 'No, Thank You.'  Say 'Please.'  Say 'Hello.'  Say 'Goodbye.'  Say 'Sorry' .  Say you 'had a nice time.'

From big to small, I hand Jonah lines often... I tell him what to say, hoping he'll deliver the goods and it will be well received...  If it's meant to be kind, I hope it's heard. If it's meant to be funny, I hope it lands. If it's meant to be sorry, I hope it's forgiven...

I simply want him to "use his words," and use them well... And last night, he most certainly did... 

As he was getting out of the bath, he pushed the drain down.

J: Mommy, I like this drain so much better than the drain at our old apartment.

Me: Oh yeah? Why?

J: Because the other drain was so old. I had to pull it out and it sucked my finger sometimes. This is just a switch. It's so much better.

Me: It IS so much better. This whole apartment is so much better, don't ya think?

J: Yeah, I love it.

(Drying him off)

Me: What else do you love?

J: Those knobs... those knobs are beautiful.

Me: Yes, very beautiful. What else?

J: Living with P. I love living with P. That's different. And better.

Me: Aw, sweetheart, I agree and that is so nice to hear. Do you think we should tell him how you feel?

J: Yes...

All pajama'd, soft cheeked and 4 year old wet-hair-slicked-back, he marched in to the bedroom and climbed on to the bed.... That's when I STARTED to tell him what to say...

Me: Tell P what you said in the bathroom...

But that's when I didn't have to...

J: Um, P... I love living with you, because well... before it was just me and my mommy... and well, it was kind of lonely. But now we live with you and I love it so much. I'm so happy.

He used his words. And mine.

I handed him a script, but he spoke from his heart. And mine.