Role Model

There are so many articles about a 2 year old child development. I'm attracted to this one, as it is clear to read and well presented. Sarah hits every milestone listed in the article, alhamdulillah.

When I was younger, Opah (my mum) always reminded my brother and I to be good examples to our younger brother. As usual, I took it as "masuk telinga kiri, keluar telinga kanan". It didn't make much sense at that time. Until I'm much much older, ie now.

I really have to be very careful of what I say and do in the house. Oh boy, how that little Sarah can imitate her Mama very well.

"Sebijik Mama, ni" said my dear husband to his 2+year old Sarah. Before that, Sarah was actually tidying up Babah's jacket and socks that have been tossed on the sofa, when he got home from work. She said, "(K)emas (d)ulu. Eeiiishh (S)epah ni!!"

On the good side, she knows how to perform ablution through her observations on us. Sejuk hati. "(M)uka (d)ulu, (t)angan pulak..."

There is also the funny but also not so funny side. For example, the last time our good friend came with her family to our house, Sarah called them "Yang (short for sayang, i think)" instead of the usual uncle and auntie (identiti terpaksa dirahsiakan). What did I tell you guys? Didn't I tell you to watch your language?


Sometimes, she would just construct her sentences and use words to suit her likings.

"Mama, ambik pen wawa. Pen wawa (j)atuh"

"Jatuh kat mana? Tak de pun?" I said sambil cari her pen.

"Ada pun. Ambik please"


Of course there are 'brother-sister' talks. For example, I was feeding them their usual bubur nasi when this conversation took place.

"Aman (Amar) nak (l)agi eh? Wait eh... waaaiiitt. Mama shuwap (suap) eh."

Now, I have frequented reminding myself to stop saying 'eh' and to keep my cool. Earlier this afternoon, I was folding the laundry. Amar was playing with his toys, and Sarah accidentally tripped over the folded laundry.

I could easily 'tinggikan my suara', but reminded myself that it was an accident. So I asked her to be more careful next time. She looked at me blankly for a few seconds, and said,

"Wawa nak (t)olon(g) (l)ipat ni."

Again the "sejuk hati" feeling strucked me, that she actually has a good intention to help me, despite the earlier act of clumsiness. So I asked her nicely, "Sarah nak tolong Mama lipat apa?"

Innocently, she answered, "Ni... Wawa (t)enga(h) (l)ipat panties Babah ni."

Now THAT I did not teach!!



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Side reading, of original sites have been lost;
1. Children change your life and one way to get happy about that is to make room in your life for them. Life will never be the same. You won't have as much time for yourself. So enjoy the time with them. Unfortunately that always involves doing what they want you to do, as children are inherently selfish.

2. An acquaintance of mine who is a doctor told this story about her then four-year-old daughter. On the way to preschool, the doctor had left her stethoscope on the car seat, and her little girl picked it up and began playing with it. Be still, my heart, thought my friend, my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!

Then the child spoke into the instrument: "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

(Submitted by Qiltmeister)