The girls are almost three years old so that means they have been to Target somewhere between 150 and 200 times. Yes, I know that is a lot. But that is where we do ALL our shopping; grocery, toiletries, housewares, clothes, shoes, birthday gifts and cards, crafts, bedding, diapers, pull ups, bibs, socks...OK, you get the idea.
In the very early days we visited Target to roam the aisles so I could somehow maintain my sanity during those first cold winter months and sleepless nights. The girls enjoyed it too, mostly staring at the bright lights in the ceiling. Employees and patrons stopped us often to comment on how adorable they were (and sometimes to offer up weird comments and advice).
As the girls have gotten older, people have stopped us less. That is fine by me because now we have an agenda. I don't want to wander the aisles anymore. When you have two toddlers, you want to get in and get out as fast as you can.
Today we took a leisurely trip to a "different" Target because it was too WINDY to play outside and the girls needed some new shoes. For some reason the girls were very social today, seeking out conversations with random people instead of waiting for people to approach them. I was laughing under my breath at what they were telling these total strangers until the 4th or 5th person when I suddenly realized we should probably start talking about strangers.
Their talk was so innocent and in my presence nothing was scary or dangerous. But even though they were having fun talking with these people (LB randomly told an employee "my mommy picked up a snake and showed it to me." ...like, that was 3 weeks ago, but whatever), I started getting concerned that I needed to start having the conversations about talking to strangers.
But I don't want to. That means the girls are growing up. That means that they will be out in the world without me some day. That means that they may encounter a scary situation and need to know how to react to protect themselves. I don't want them to know that the world can be scary. I want them to keep their total innocence and trust that EVERYONE out their is good.
But reality hits us at the ripe old age of just under THREE. I can't believe that they have to know the truth already. It's not fair.
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With that said, it was still hilarious to watch the girls strike up conversations. I think everyone we talked to was surprised to learn that they weren't even three yet. TWO different people told them that they were SMART.
I like it when OTHER people tell the girls that they are smart. It's so much better than hearing that they are cute.
I mean, that's totally obvious.
I can't believe you picked up a snake! I could never... Eeek!
ReplyDeleteI've probably been reading too many "Pigtail Pals" posts on Facebook (have you seen that group?), but I'm starting to cringe when all people ever say to the girls is how cute / pretty / adorable they are. I want them to hear that and believe it...but I love that your girls were told how smart they are, too! :) And they certainly do sound like little smarties...I love the conversation excerpt! :)
ReplyDeleteI have thought about the stranger thing, too. With little kiddos, so many people will try to talk to them. And I'm right there...it's completely harmless. But...part of me struggles a bit...what if some random person makes one of my girls (unbeknownst to me) feel uncomfortable or something? I don't want them to feel like they're expected to answer the question, "What's your name, little girl?" I HATE that my mind wanders there, but I'm afraid it's something worth thinking about.
If the girls don't automatically engage in conversation, I'll usually jump in and say, "Can you tell him to have a nice day?" And the girls usually oblige very easily.
Babies growing up in a big world...ugh for so many reasons!
Wow!! I've been meaning to send you an email to catch up. I need to do that soon. Can't believe they are almost 3. They were 8 months old when we "met". You have helped me so much. Your girls are beautiful and you have made it through so much. It is hard to watch them grow up - it's such a bittersweet feeling. Very impressed with the cooking skills! :)
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