Have I mentioned my kid’s imagination? Some children have imaginary friends. Some kids have close personal relationships with their toys and stuffed animals…usually one in particular that gets dragged with them everywhere. My kid has an imaginary menagerie that is ever changing.
What do I mean?
Well, at any given time on any given day you may spy my child with clenched fists. Those clenched fists are not a sign of some physical problem or a sign that she is angry and not gonna take it any more. Those clenched fists are fiercely protecting her animals. All you have to do is ask, “Sophie, who do you have there?” And she will respond in one of a hundred different ways.
“A crocodile”
“A little baby duck”
“Jack and Jill”
“My lion”
“Sammy and Pebbles”
Every answer makes me smile. And no combination is ever the same. I remember almost a year ago going to pick Sophie up at daycare and her teacher, Miss Jill, pulling me aside with a smile to share with me that Sophia’s menagerie is contagious. Apparently, she has been sharing her little animals with her friends. Yes, she was not yet two years old.
I have also learned how to use these little invisible animals in my favor. Sophie feels comfortable with them and at bedtime when she does not want me to leave her in her room all I have to say is, “Sophie! I have a little baby dolphin in my pocket…will you take care of it tonight for me?” Sophie lights up, holds out her hand and responds, “Yes, and I want a little baby turtle, too.” After a few back and forth negotiations – I usually end up leaving with some mommy animal (I try not to take it personal when its an elephant) to take care of. The best part is when I check on her hours later and see her arms hugging her imaginary animals close to keep them safe, as she is fast asleep.
Being a parent is the most amazing adventure because I have what I consider to be an amazing child. She shines. Her imagination shimmers and sparkles.
Until the next spark of imagination…
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