Cordelia: Shannon? Is it always all right to feel our feelings?
Me: Yes. Always. And it's good to talk about them, too. What are your feelings now?
Cordelia: They're good. But sometimes I am very angry with you. And mad. And really mad!
Me: Well. That's okay. Those are your feelings. Are you mad at me right now?
Cordelia: No, not right now. Probably in a little while, though.
Twenty minutes later:
Me: Cordelia, please put the red play dough away before you take out another color.
Cordelia, indignant: No! (throws container)
Me: Take a break, Cordy.
Cordelia: NO! I WON'T take a BREAK!
Me: Oh, goodness. We don't shout at each other. Now it's up to your room.
Cordelia, wailing: Nooooo! I am angry! I am ANGRY at you now, Shannon!
Me: Yes, well. Feel your feelings.
An hour later:
Cordelia: When I'm mad at you, I will just call up Jesus and Mary and ask them to come over and help me be good.
Me: Are you mad at me again?!
Cordelia: No, not right now. I'm happy! I'm so happy! And if I get mad at you I will just tell Mary, and she will be mad at you too, probably.
Me: Probably.
3 comments:
NO WAY. Is this for real?!?!?!?? This just made my day!
Oh yeah. She picked up on this, I think, on the way home from school last week when Cody was feeling some "mad" feelings about something that happened on the playground. So he just provided the vocabulary for her to voice all that which lay inside...because there's not been any doubt she's familiar with anger and frustration. : ) Now she can just be really, really specific in the way she directs it. : )
Well, that's what happens when she can't mix her playdough colors, Shay. She is letting you know you are interfering with her artistic vision. And you must be punished. And you will be.
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