(the Sun!)
(who knows what, but I like it)It started with "painting" her toenails with dry erase pen while I was busy with Lilah. So we had a talk and I asked her if she'd like to have her toes painted like mommy. I'm not about to take her to get a pedicure, mind you - but I parlayed this into a chance to have some special Mama-Sadie only time and used very pale, shiny pink on her toes. She was happy and I was satisfied. I'm so naive.
In just a few short days, we were at square one again, only she had graduated to painting her face with her watercolor paints - again while I was busy with Lilah. Textbook.
I realize that it's possible that she might be getting mixed messages, because we do have some special on-skin crayons that we've used in the past, and we did hire a face painter for her birthday, but I've made sure to explain that ink and watercolor paints aren't good for our skin and are only for paper. I make her repeat it back to me, with eye contact. (I am certainly deluding myself that this somehow makes a lasting impression, but here again is an example of my parenting style: winging it.)
On this occasion, I had set her up to paint in the playroom while I nursed Lilah. She came into the living room about 10 minutes later, her face literally dripping.
Hi mom.
Hi honey. Did you do some painting on your face with watercolor paints?
No. (drip, drip)
I think you did. You know how I know?
(shakes head no)
Because I can see it.
(eyes open wider and her hand shoots up to feel)
Busted.
On the one hand, the lying (or normal toddler embellishment, whatever you want to call it) irks me. On the other hand, I find it rather fascinating that she truly hasn't grasped the concept of cause and effect or action/consequence yet. She's innocent. It's our job to explain this stuff - ideally in a nonthreatening manner.
The other day, I caught her coloring in a few of her books. We had The Talk again. Only on paper. But not book paper. Maybe this really is confusing and unclear to her?
Yesterday, she went back to dry erase pens, but escalated it to her face. I think you can tell by her expression that I reacted a little bit differently.
A few days after that, she drew on her legs, feet and face with ball point pens. I wasn't calm, cool or collected that time.I'm done talking. All pens and paints have been confiscated for now.
We'll stick to the school-sanctioned art projects, like these gems that have come home in the past few weeks:
But as luck would have it, we're attending a birthday party soon with a face painter again. Round and round we go.
2 comments:
I don't know this for sure, but I'm pretty convinced that kids are like puppies; can't leave them alone for a minute because they WILL get into something. But maybe that because I have had crazy dogs, and appear to have a no-fear child.
The artwork is adorable! (Even on her body...)
one of my most vivid memories is painting at what must have been preschool, i was one of the last to finish my fine art and while the rest of the class filed into their chairs, i took a moment to make my own face/body/apron a beautiful canvas.
don't really remember the consequence, but surely there was one considering the memory has stayed with me all this time.
to this day, i can't work with markers, paint or even a sharpie - for that matter - without getting it all over myself.
aside from the disobediance and fibs (which are BIG deals), what's the harm?
someday, you'll look back and wish the only trouble sadie was getting into was non-toxic watercolor paint.
just my non-parent opinion...
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