Archive for March, 2007
Question Time
Every day for over a week I’ve been asked the same two questions.
“Nana?” Evie looks hopeful, her eyes flicking between me and the front door.
“No, love. Nana’s not coming today. She’s not coming this week because Mummy’s on holiday.”
“Rara?”
“No, Grandad’s not coming, either. They’ll be here next week, though.”
A pause. Thoughtfulness personified. Another question.
“Nana?”
I laugh and hold her shoulder as I break the news once more. “Sorry, but no, not today. Just six more big sleeps, though, and they’ll come.”
A moment’s silence.
“Nana?” It’s Scarlett this time.
“Not today, love.”
“Rara?”
“Not Grandad, either.”
“Rara?” Jemima’s turn.
“No, sweetheart. But both Mummy and Daddy are home today. That’s good, isn’t it?”
Another pause. By now I know what’s coming.
“Nana?”
And so it went on. They couldn’t understand my explanations, of course. But, this morning, I got in quickly with a question of my own aAs they were still coming round, bleary-eyed in their cots.
“Do you know who’s coming today?” This is a question they do understand. And there’s only ever one answer.
“Nana! Rara!” three voices chorus. All three girls struggle to stand despite a whole night’s getting entangled in their sleeping bags. “Hurray!”
A Few Of Our Favourite Things
How many children, at one and a half, I wonder, could have the following foods listed among their favourites? And, yes, these are favourite foods, not just ones they’ll put up with for want of anything better.
Olives (black and green), gherkins, pickled eggs, mustard, horseradish sauce, pickled onions, capers, vinaigrette-dressed salad.
I can only assume it’s the result of our rather strict policy on sugary foods – namely they’re not allowed any. Not, mind you, that this means they never have any. I can’t remember the last playgroup we attended where one or another of my girls didn’t sidle up to me bearing a corner of dropped biscuit and wearing a whattya-gonna-do-about-it-huh? look of triumph on her face.
And both J and I are guilty of having our resolve crack on several occasions. No parent wants to be the ogre who has to deny their child a little slice of happiness, no matter how good you’re convinced it is for them in the long term. Especially, if you’ve been caught allowing yourself that “little slice” when you thought they weren’t looking.
Plus eating an ice cream loses much of its enjoyment when you’re being regarded by three reproachful faces.
I always hated that “one rule for us” thing when I was a kid, though, so, as they get older and more aware, I guess I’ll have to either allow them to eat sweet stuff if I do or not have it either. What a scary thought.
No, on second thoughts, moderation is probably the key. Any member of the family should be allowed sugary foods… after 7 o’clock at night! I mean, what’s the point of making up the rules if you can’t make them wokr for your benefit?
Seriously, though, I do think moderation will be the way forward. Once Evie, Lettie or Jem are old enough to ask specifically for that stuff, we’ll have to come up with some arrangement. Otherwise they might end up like me: When I was little – maybe 6 or 7 – outraged at not being allowed more sweets, I made a promise to myself. One day, when I was grown up and no one could stop me, I’d eat chocolate for every course of every single meal for a whole day. And I did, a few years ago. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sick.