The Surprisingly Insightful Words of My 1-3 Year Old Toddler

As a parent, there are many moments of wonderment, amusement, and sometimes even profound realization when it comes to our young children. One evening at dinner, one of these moments occurred in a rather unexpected and unexpected speech. Our little girl, with her beautiful red curly hair, unexpectedly declared that Jack Sprat and his wife didn't need to wash dishes because ‘between the two of them they licked the platter clean.’ This statement offered more insight into human behavior than I expected, and it was definitely a moment to remember.

A Visual and Verbal Wonder

My only child is a beautiful girl with an incredible head of shiny, thick, red curly hair. People constantly admired and complimented it. She was also always verbally gifted. At the age of three, she was exceptionally articulate, and it was a stark contrast to my own self-consciousness. One time, while unloading groceries, a sweet little old lady complimented her on her hair and said, 'Where did you get that beautiful red hair?' To which my little one replied very matter-of-factly, 'it grew out of my head.' This was not just an amusing response but a reflection of her innocent and direct way of thinking.

Choosing Fashion Together

One early spring day, we went into a dress shop where I wanted to find a happy, flowy sundress in my usual blues and greens for the coming summer. My daughter, however, was more interested in something bright pink and figure-hugging. She enthusiastically pointed at the vibrant pink floral outfit and exclaimed, 'Mommy - THAT one!' Knowing her love for all things pink and girly, I chose to try it on in the fitting room to avoid a potential tantrum. While trying on my own choices, I noticed the dress made my own hips look bigger, and in a moment of adult self-consciousness, I said, 'No, not this one, baby, it makes my bum look big.' But my daughter had a different perspective. She replied matter-of-factly, 'BUT MOMMY - THATS WHAT YOUR BUM LOOKS LIKE WHEN YOU DONT HAVE CLOTHES ON TOO.'

A Valuable Lesson

With those words echoing around the silent shop, I hurriedly redressed and bought that very dress. It was a valuable lesson both for her and for myself to always be self-accepting and confident. Years later, at the age of 21, my daughter still owns that dress as a reminder of that insightful moment. As parents, let's embrace the wisdom of our young children and be reminded to see the world, like they do, with fresh eyes.