As I was preparing vegetables for dinner one evening last week you declared "It's dinner time", loudly and confidently. You were naked having stripped off your Minnie Mouse swimmers, a gift from your Zia Irene (Aunty Irene) following another afternoon of "swimming" in a laundry tub outside. I was happy to see you bouncing around carefree but your daddy was less impressed when you grabbed some plastic forks and knives to set the table and jammed them between your thighs. Who knows why? It did delay your table setting mission though as he marched you to your bedroom for some lower half garments.
Undeterred, you soon returned and quietly spent the next twenty minutes setting the table. Place mats, cutlery and bamboo mats used as drink coasters were all lovingly laid out. And then reorganised so that you sat at the head while daddy and I were seated together along one side of the table. You rearranged everything several times before walking away satisfied, again chanting "it's dinner time" over the noise of the vacuum cleaner.
I've asked you to help set the table before and you always help willingly. However this evening you demonstrated initiative, perseverance and your observation skills. As I laid the food in the centre of the table I noticed that you had put everything in its rightful place. Fork to the left, knife to the right, cups on the bamboo mat.
We took a photo of the table to capture our delight. It's these little daily surprises that remind me that you are growing up. It's happening both quickly and in slow motion at the same time. It also reminded me that one of the most important things I can do for you is model the behaviour I would like you to display.
It also gave me hope that just maybe we are on the right track; teaching you that the jobs that keep our home a pleasant place to live are a shared responsibility. Not chores to be a avoided or a way to earn pocket money but simple tasks that contribute to our family lifestyle.
Sofia, thank you for setting the table this evening. It was perfect.
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