"Mommy Doesn't Let"
I took The Vance to Manhattan today to see Cirque de Sollel. We went for pizza before the performance. I bought a Dr. Pepper along with my slice (I don't usually drink soda but I am still trying to gain a couple of pounds so I drink the stuff from time to time). The Vance didn't want anything to drink but I took an extra cup expecting her to change her mind.
When I offered her some of my soda she said, "Mommy doesn't let".
This is true; except for Shabbos (and then only when we have guests) soda is never made available. I was impressed with the Vance's self control but more so with MHW's mastery of motherhood. Without being preachy or loud, MHW has somehow constructed a paradigm where rules are rules and her word is the law. Kids crave structure and MHW gives it to them in a firm but gentle way (how is that possible?).
(And, as an aside, if regular kids crave structure, how much more so foster kids. Which is what makes MHW a spectacular foster mom).
I am not worthy.
Really. I'm not.
I took The Vance to Manhattan today to see Cirque de Sollel. We went for pizza before the performance. I bought a Dr. Pepper along with my slice (I don't usually drink soda but I am still trying to gain a couple of pounds so I drink the stuff from time to time). The Vance didn't want anything to drink but I took an extra cup expecting her to change her mind.
When I offered her some of my soda she said, "Mommy doesn't let".
This is true; except for Shabbos (and then only when we have guests) soda is never made available. I was impressed with the Vance's self control but more so with MHW's mastery of motherhood. Without being preachy or loud, MHW has somehow constructed a paradigm where rules are rules and her word is the law. Kids crave structure and MHW gives it to them in a firm but gentle way (how is that possible?).
(And, as an aside, if regular kids crave structure, how much more so foster kids. Which is what makes MHW a spectacular foster mom).
I am not worthy.
Really. I'm not.
posted by MoChassid @ 8:00 PM
6 Comments:
At 11:05 AM,
Anonymous said…
I truly admire what you've done for this child.
But why must you utilize the term vance?
At 12:04 PM,
ThePeoplesChamp said…
You should run a school. I can use it from time to time :)
At 1:11 PM,
Jeremy said…
Maybe a guest post when she gets back? Let us all know how to do it?
At 5:26 PM,
MoChassid said…
Anon:
My mom called me The Vance so I'm calling The Vance the Vance. It's a term of endearment. Maybe when she gets a little older she will graduate to OYD.
At 8:13 PM,
Anonymous said…
Just to nitpick on an otherwise perfect situation - I hope I don't offend:
My children also use the verb "let", meaning "allow", without an object. I did not grow up in a frummie community and I learned to say, as a small kid, "Mommy doesn't let ME." Now my daughters are older I correct them constantly. It isn't only the word "let." When my 13 year old says "by recess we did this" or "by lunchtime we did that" I let her know in no uncertain terms that she isn't to speak like an immigrant, and that if she says "by" in the Yiddish construct at a college interview, she will be going to community college.
Am I being too harsh on them?
At 9:31 AM,
MoChassid said…
tesyaa
No argument from me. I drive my kids nuts correcting their English. And the Yiddishisms also make me crazy.
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