When my son was four-and-a-half, he loved going to his grandparents’ home (my parents), and every time I’d pick him up to go back to our house, he would have a crying, begging episode – crying about having to leave their house, and begging to stay with them. This always happened in front of them. Finally, I had enough.
We got in the car while he was still crying and begging, and I started in on my “lecture.” I told him he was a big boy now, and this behavior was unacceptable. He was old enough to understand that he lived at OUR house, that he was VISITING his grandparents and that these visits did, in fact, END. The moment I ended my speech, he immediately stopped the crying and wailing, turned to me and said very calmly, “Mama, if I didn’t cry and beg to stay with them, it would hurt their feelings SO MUCH.
I was flabbergasted that my four-year-old had this kind of insight and understanding. From that point on, I let him carry on, and sure enough, it ended in due course. He’s now 35 and still amazes me with his insight. Never underestimate a four-year-old!
Shirley
My Child Was Wise Beyond His Years
