What Are Friends For

Ethan is hooked on phonics.....he loves to rhyme as most kids his age do.

He also loves his rubber ducky in the tub....can you see where this is going?
Before our Spring Break trip he was happily playing with his favorite little ducky and rhyming it with that word that also rhymes with yucky. He had no clue that he was being offensive and I just let it pass knowing that silence and not bringing it to his attention was best in this moment.

It hasn't happened since.

More recently Ethan loves to have friends over every day and often begs to do so as I pick him up from school. Friends over can mean a pleasant afternoon for me as he is entertained or a constant stream of fighting with his brother about what is or is not supposed to be happening.

On this day the Tunisian Twins were over and the boys were battling on the trampoline; to impress them I guess. One of the girls came running in, frankly I'm not sure which it was, saying Ethan had been hit in the face.

She was quickly followed by Ethan, who was not crying by the way, saying, "Mom! I just got punched in the face. But I didn't cry because I'm being brave for the girls." Followed by, "Come on girls! Let's go back so you can cheer for me."

His preschool teachers tell me he is quite the ladies man and has a different flavor of the week. He also likes to make special gifts such as pictures or princess crowns out of cereal boxes for all his little lady friends.

I'm just glad he likes girls!

Ethan's best friend's mother also recently recounted this story to me.

J* still needed a little assistance with bum wiping and with a new nanny in the house his mother wasn't sure he would feel comfortable with the nanny's assistance. When his mother went to help he said, "Don't worry Mom I don't need your help because Ethan taught me how to do it."

I'm not sure when this life skill teaching moment took place but J's mother is thrilled she no longer has to assist with this.

A few days after this took place J* didn't do such a good job and his Dad questioned him saying, "I thought Ethan taught you how to do this." J* replied in a whining tone, "I just forgot."