Life with an Only Child

Our days seem to run the gamut of possibilities. My daughter, currently an only child, is three years old and awash with cleverness and mischievousness. As I walked into her room to get her up for the day, she announced this was going to be an exhausting day for me by saying, "Mom, are we going somewhere today? Because I think I need to go somewhere today." This translated means, I had better come up with a lot of activities because she had slept well and was raring to go.

Breakfast was bolted down and seconds begged for. As I loaded my daughter's plate with another banana and some strawberry yogurt, I tried to look at this as a good thing. She was obviously growing and needed the nourishment. But the other side of my brain warned that this was only fuel for someone who could not only out run me, but out manipulate me. I was beginning to feel the need for a nap and it is only eight in the morning.

She calmly brought her dishes into the kitchen and announced the first activity. We needed to write letters. I should mention at this point that my daughter loves mail. She waits eagerly at the window for the mailman and as soon as it comes, asks, "Is it for me? Did I get a letter?" Most days she is disappointed. I tried to give her the junk mail but she has figured it out and automatically tosses it into the wastebasket. So I tried to encourage her by "writing" letters. You have to write 'em to get 'em, right?

So I was relieved when she asked to write letters. It is a nice calm activity that she can handle on her own. I spread out eight sheets of her favorite Audubon bird stationery and left the room. Not fifteen minutes later, she is in my office begging me to help her mail the letters. She has finished drawing bird's eggs, snails, a rollercoaster, a shoe, and several bugs on each page. (Yes, I did have to ask for clarification. She is still in the realm of the abstract.) She dictated to me what letter went to which relative. She insisted on sealing them herself and helping to put the stamp on each.

I am not allowed to write on her letters. Hopefully, my family will know who the letter is from. If not, she will call them and ask if they have received it.

Lunch with Nut-Nut (her stuffed hyacinth macaw)

Credit: Carol Wilkins

Copyright: Carol Wilkins