It Has Come to This

So over the past four years but especially the past couple of weeks, I've been learning the hard way that a little praise and encouragement and positive reinforcement goes a lot farther with Calvin than lectures, pictures, growling, time-outs, or even a spank.

A "thank you" for some little good or helpful behavior will light up his face and correct some forms of mischief quite efficiently. This is a valuable thing to learn and practice, though more often easier said than done, especially when the first thing that comes to mind at certain times is, well, let's just say it's not as patient and kind as all that "catch your child doing something right" stuff.

And then when I combine this little tool of positive reinforcement with Cal's own wonderful but sometimes messy independence and a brilliant but sometimes troublesome inclination to just do things himself without asking for help, I get moments when things come out of my mouth that make me want to both laugh and cry hysterically.

"Cal, thanks so much for letting me wipe your bum for you."

I did. I said that. In sincere appreciation.

And he smiled and nodded - his way of letting me know that he'll let me do it again sometime, since it pleased me so.