What does a four year old know?

My daughter tried out shoplifting for the second time recently. I didn’t know about it for days. Then one day I notice her eating something, and I asked her about it. First she says a friend gave the candy to her, then confesses that she “snuck it” from the corporate copy shop. I explained to her that it was called stealing, not sneaking. Then I told her about all the horrible things that could happen if she were caught, and I talked about the police. Problem is that, though I don’t condone stealing from people or local businesses, I didn’t really care since its apparent to me that corporations steal a lot more from us than we do them. A friend of mine told me I should take her into the store, and make her give it back and apologize for stealing and that she would never do it again. I remember getting caught and embarrassed stealing as a young age and it just made me better at it. I also know that I would rather have an open line of communication with my daughter than shame her in public. Shaming isn't respectful, and respect is the central tenet in my personal child-rearing philosophy.

Last night I was closing the blinds so I could walk around my house naked. My daughter asked why. I told her it was because adults aren’t supposed to let strangers see them naked. She asks me what the police would do if someone was naked. I said I didn’t know, and what did she think they would do. She said that she thinks the person would get arrested, or if they were a girl they would get a ticket. I grilled her a little on her thinking, because I thought it sounded pretty accurate. After asking a couple times why boys get arrested and girls get tickets, she responded, “Because boys are just a little bit more nasty than girls.” Huh. She couldn’t tell me who told her that boys are nastier. She says she just knew it. I didn't contradict her, but I wonder if I should have. I like her to think that being female rocks, since it will probably get harder to think that as she gets older and is assaulted by our cultures twisted norms. .

Watching children grow very entertaining and a great learning experience if you are paying attention. I’ve been noticing other things, as in how different parenting styles and parent thought processes affect children in their development, beliefs and mannerisms. It is especially obvious between around 2.5 to about kindergarten, when they are old enough to be expressing themselves, but their thought processes have not yet been mediated by government schools.

Kids are fun.

(see look at that, one day off Facebook and I write two blogs. Now I am going to do some more writing and play the bass.)

"Where do you learn all that stuff?"

At dinner, Ramona (just turned 4, btw) is having a hard time eating because her food is so hot. She takes a large bite from the center of her Quinoa and then makes a face a spits a little out. I tell her about how the edges of the food are usually cooler than the center. She takes a little bite from the edge and then says, "Where do you learn all this stuff?"

Me: What stuff, all the stuff in my life? From everywhere. From my life.

Ramona: I mean all this mom stuff.

Me: What do you mean "mom stuff"?

Ramona: You know, Kids can't play with matches, you got to go to sleep, why you got to stay warm and wear a jacket when its cold.

Me: OH! I just learn that stuff from life. I lived a long time and I know what is dangerous and common sense. Mom's are supposed to help their kids. Some things kids don't like to do but mom's help them learn that there are things you need to do and things that are dangerous. Like when you don't get enough sleep you go crazy and everyone feels crappy. So I help you get a good amount of sleep.

Ramona: But....I go to sleep, so why do I still go crazy?