CONVERSATIONS OF A CHILD
Children are a blessing to us in so many ways. It is interesting to watch and listen to them describe the way they view things in their innocence. One such time was when my daughter Jessica was getting ready to leave for a church function, and I received a text message from her. She proceeded to tell me that the women’s group at her church had a “Secret Sisters” group in which she had joined, and they were having a meeting that day. While getting ready to go to this meeting, she mentioned to her husband and her two children (daughter Payton, five years old and son Aaron, three years old) that she would soon be leaving for the “Secret Sisters” meeting. Her five year old daughter sincerely chimed in and said, “Mom I can go too since I am a sister?”
My oldest daughter Jessica and my grandbabies live in Virginia Beach, so I don’t get to see them very often. It had been four months since our last visit when they arrived this time. I couldn’t wait to see them, and as I began walking up to the door of the house to visit, I was greeted by both of them running up to me and giving me lots of nana hugs. After the hugs, we visited for a while. When it was time to leave I told them both I wish I could take them with me, but I had to get up really early to go to work. All that my three year old grandson heard me say was, “Take them with me.” He jumped up and stated with excitement, “I’m going to pack my backpack and go with you.” He rushed to collect all his items to throw in his backpack. About that time, my five year old granddaughter said, “I’m packing mine and coming with you too nana!” They both hurriedly began packing. Oh my, now I had to do something. I told them they need to see if their dad would come by in the morning around 6:30 am before I leave for work and pick them up, he instantly shook his head no. I guess that he wanted to sleep in, and I didn’t blame him for that. I was saddened as I had to tell them they could stay with me the next night because I didn’t have to go to work the next day. We enjoyed our overnight stay the next night, and we even got to sleep in! From now on to save heartache, I will watch how I word things around them because children can also have selective hearing.
The next day after work I picked them up, and they stayed overnight with me. I began getting caught up on all my hugs the next morning when we all awoke. After the “catching-up-on-hugs” they told me they were hungry, so off to the kitchen I went. They wanted watermelon and cereal, so being the wonderful nana that I am that is exactly what they got. A little while later they expressed their desire for more food. I asked them if they wanted scrambled eggs and the reply was “yes.” While I cooked the eggs, they sat at the kitchen table waiting on their third round of breakfast to be served. I watched from a distance as I cooked and listened to an intense conversation between this five year old and three year old. Aaron, age three asks his sister Payton, age 5 “Sissy, which animal are we going to be eating?” Payton responds, “They are from a chicken Aaron.” Aaron responds, “A chicken?” Payton, “Yes.” I serve them the eggs and they begin to eat. Aaron says, “Mmmm these eggs taste like pizza.” Payton calmly replies, “Aaron they come out of a chicken’s bottom.” She caught me off guard, and I had a good laugh as they continued to inhale the pizza flavored, chicken bottom eggs!
CHILD SAFETY
Most of us have already raised children or are in the process of raising them now. Children are naturally curious which causes them to explore. We, as the protectors of these little ones, must make sure their dwelling is safe.
Be sure to have child-proof latches on all cabinets and drawers that contain sharp items or cleaning products. Keep protective covers on all electrical outlets. Install extra slide locks or chain locks high up on doors to keep them from easily exiting the home. Keep all detergents and bleaches out of reach. Cover sharp corners of furniture to prevent a fall from causing major injury. Keep your child close by when going shopping or to a park. It only takes a minute for them to disappear, as they are quicker than we give them credit for being. Keep them away from hot stoves or outside fires. Teach them early on to stay away from roads; they are so small, drivers have trouble seeing them when they dart out in the road. Inspect playground equipment before allowing your child to play; rusted or broken equipment can be very dangerous. Always buckle your child into the appropriate car seat for their age before traveling. Always use extra caution when your child is playing in water and use appropriate floaties. If your home has stairs, use a child gate to keep them from falling down the stairs. Keep this nationwide poison control center phone number 1-800-222-1222 nearby in case you need it.
Children will be children, so we need to make sure we keep them as safe as possible.
