Great Expectations of Children

It continues to amaze me how much our expectations can shape the reality. More specifically, how our expectations of our children shape their behavior. I get up every morning dreading the daily battle of dressing, feeding, hair brushing. And because I dread it, the trials come to pass. Okay, maybe not just becasue I expect it; some of it is due to the fact that she is 3. David on the other hand just "expects" it to all go well and that she will listen and that she can be talked out of any ill mood. And it works. Mostly. But then he is Daddy.

How can she not just do whatever it is he asks of her? Especially when he is so full of wonderful knowledge for her. This last week he taught her some very important information. For the last couple of weeks, the Bug has decided to be "Ariel" the mermaid. She sings her special mermaid song and then goes on and on about how the sea witch has stolen her voice. (Obviously the witch needs some practice if we still get to hear the story, over and over.) Well, David has taught her some grand information. So now, whenever asked she will tell you the problem with mermaids:

Not enough fish to eat; not enough girl to love.

It's just expected that she will remember such wonderful tidbits.