she thinks of everything
Babs was extremely upset when I told her about my surgery. I told her that I would be fine, that the doctor would give me some medicine to fall asleep so that I wouldn’t feel anything, and as soon as I woke up I would get to come home. She was absolutely beside herself, crying and clinging to me and begging me not to go. I thought that maybe she needed something visual to help her understand that I would be safe, so I got out a pencil and paper and sat down with her on the couch. I sketched out a crude stick figure with closed eyes and a big goofy smile, and told her that was me after I fell asleep. Then I drew a thought bubble that showed another stick figure holding the string of a kite. I told her I would be asleep just long enough to have a fun dream, and then I would wake up. I was planning on addressing each fear, and giving her another option for how things could go so she could create a less frightening scenario in her mind. Unfortunately, we never made it past the dream bubble, because my mind can never keep up with that of a four year old with an active imagination.
Frowning with disapproval, she pointed to the dream bubble and said, “No Mommy, it’s going to be a bad dream.”
“How do you know that?
“Because I know everything.”
“Ok, well maybe in my bad dream I’m really hungry, but the fridge is stuck and I can’t open it.”
“No, that’s not scary!”
“I think it is.”
“No, you’re going to dream that you’re stuck in a cage and you’re wearing those stripey zebra clothes.”
“How do you know about stripey zebra clothes?”
“I saw it on Arthur.”
“Ok, well if I was stuck in a cage, I would ask my mouse friend to run out and get me the keys to unlock it.”
“What if he’s too tired?”
“Then I would let him rest, and then ask him.”
“What if he’s always too tired?”
“Then I would call to you and ask you to save me.”
“No, I’m not strong enough.”
“Well, then you could ask Daddy for help.”
“But he’s not there.”
“You’d go get him then.”
“I don’t know how to drive home!”
“Then you could call him on the phone.”
“But what if he’s dead?”
Apparently I’m screwed.
Then tell her she can call me!
My fingers are crossed for a beautiful, restful dream and quick recovery….
Comment by misha — January 11, 2007 @ January 11, 2007 at 7:15 pm
If you could bottle your patience, you could sell it all and become a bazillionaire. I am awed by your ability to see through any irritation at being asked about a thousand questions and see that she’s really scared. It would be so hard for me to do, and I thank you for telling us this, because it reminds ME what to do when I have a talkative preschooler.
I am thinking of you, and know you are in great hands! I’ll call you when things have calmed down a bit. XO R
Comment by Redheadmomma — January 12, 2007 @ January 12, 2007 at 7:39 am
Words escape me. That is just the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time.
Here’s to a long restful beautiful dream!
Comment by Karen — January 12, 2007 @ January 12, 2007 at 8:14 am
You are so amazing. I love the fact that you sat down to draw your darling child a picture. Your mothering abilities are so beautiful. She’s so lucky to have you as her mother. And YOU are going to be just fine. I am gonna call you!!
Comment by Queen Beth — January 12, 2007 @ January 12, 2007 at 10:27 am
Wow. That’s just fabulous. I love four year old trains of thought. Mine had this to say after freaking out about a fruit fly in the house:
“But Mom, what if it’s just a little bug, and he got lost from his family, and he was looking and looking but he couldn’t find them, so he decided to LIVE HERE??” Followed by further distress…
Comment by falwyn — January 15, 2007 @ January 15, 2007 at 7:19 pm