I've been blessed with little girls who love to talk. And I mean, not just converse, but they love to talk for talking sake. Talk, talk, talk... all day long. And it's no surprise that when the both come home they are both brimming with talk because they've had to restrain themselves at school all day.
What I've found this year in particular, is that not only is Elisan talking more, she's talking more substantively. We are having actual conversations that involve her life, not just random occurrences. Kyla still converses in randomness. For example, Kyla will say out of the blue something about a trip we took 3 months ago. Or, about a show she watched on TV yesterday.
Elisan on the other hand will talk, answer questions, try to relate what she is saying by using examples and she is animated in her discussions.
Just recently, we moved Elisan's bedtime up to eight o'clock. She said she didn't want to have a bedtime for little kids anymore - which was 7:30. How we managed to get that child to bed at 7:30 until recently, I have no idea. But, Kyla still goes to bed at 7:30 because she is a "little kid". During the time from 7:30-8p.m., I will sit down with Elisan on the couch and we will just talk.
She talks about anything and everything. She talks about the books she's reading, school, her friends, the boys in her class, the teacher, church, soccer... whatever strikes her mood, we will talk about it. I'll admit, there are times when my eyes will glaze over when she begins talking about things like seating charts and science class, but for the most part, I'm as equally engaged in her conversation as she is.
Lately, I've been reflecting on how quickly she will get older and she would rather talk to her friends - in regards to the same things she now talks to me about. This makes me sad, but I know that it is all about growing up. I just hope and pray that the time I'm spending with her now, will have a lifetime effect on her as she does get older and mom is not as important to her as I was when she was 8 years old.
By far, 8 is my favorite age of Elisan. For now... I'm going to hang on her every word, get into her world and show her that I care about her and the things that makes her happy and sad. As a mom of a growing girl, I think that is one of the best things I can do for her is offer her my undivided attention and love.
(Thank you Lord for the continued wisdom in growing my girls.)
4 of you are mildly amused:
So sweet! And encouraging to moms like me of a 2-yr-old.
Do remember to write some of the conversations down. Thats what I love about scrapbooking, you can make little interviews with a child at a certain age and keep it in their scrapbook with a photo from the same age.
Erica, I loved this article. I too keep in mind that these girls are growing up so quick. I relish each moment. I agree, it's so important to make time to chat (we say "let's chit chat") with these girls while they are young, because it develops into the relationship we will have with them when they are older. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6). blessings, Rachel
this made me tear up. thank you for this...I needed it.
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