My youngest son has come leaps and bounds with his language. In two years time, Jackson’s gone from all-out screaming to speaking proper sentences, and while there’s still a cognitive delay somewhere in there, he is fully capable of having sweet four-year-old conversations.
However, while it’s wonderful to hear him speak plainly and without hesitation, sometimes I’m left scratching my head about how to respond.
Case in point, about ten minutes ago, he announces: “I’m going to pull Salem’s tail off, Mom.”
“No, you’re not,” I say.
“Yes, I am,” he says. “I’m just gonna do it, Mom.”
And yesterday, after seeing a crying baby during Jeremy’s flag football practice, he says: “I’m gonna throw that baby in the garbage.”
“No, you’re not,” I say.
“Yes I am,” he says. “He’s going in the dumpster, Mom.”
And last week, while holding a miniature storm trooper gun, he says: “I’m gonna shoot you, Mom.”
“No, you’re not,” I say.
“Yes, I am,” he says. “And you’re gonna say, ‘Ahhhhh!‘”
Before I my inbox fills up with parenting advice, relax. I am taking the extra step to teach Jackson about being kind to others and not hurting animals, and no, we don’t throw babies in the dumpster. But I have to admit, I relish hearing him speak. And while I worry about where his brain goes at times, I’m still smiling over his progress. After all, it’s not what you say but how you say it. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself today.