Love and malice aforethought.

“Mummy, Amani’s nose and hands look so yummy, I want to eat them”. Then he spends many of her waking hours pecking and sucking on her cheeks.

“Mummy, I think Amani is the most beautiful baby in the world”.
“Yes Mich, I couldn’t agree more”.
He will want to carry her, sit with her, dance for her and not leave her side.
He reads to her, shakes her hands and brings the cutest smile to her face.
He is protective of her.

But when mummy says, “hush! Baby needs to sleep” all over a sudden doors get slammed, slippers are dragged, shoes are stomped, songs get louder. There is a need to raise his voice as though we are in separate rooms, even when we are at the same table.
Funny thing is, she doesn’t mind. She associates the “littler” person in the house with noise, energy and games. She beams a wide smile when she hears his voice and sleeps as still as a log through all his noise.
I have labored to explain “Baby needs to rest, so she is happy when she wakes. And mummy needs to rest too, so that mummy is happy”. He doesn’t get it. I probably should let it go.

I wish I could read the mind of a six year old. From where I stand it’s all about “me, I and mine” – absolute selfishness. Now how to get the selfishness out is the trick, I wonder if it comes out the same way foolishness does.

Proverbs 22:15 (Amplified Bible)

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.