My Mommy and Daddy Kiss on the Lips

We were at dinner the other night at my in-laws.  My husband's niece and her husband of less than one year were there also.  My three year old was watching and observing everything during dinner. All of a sudden, I hear her say "My mommy and daddy kiss on the lips."  Having been less observant than her, I wondered where this "out of the blue" comment came from. Then realized, as our niece started to comment ... "whoops, guess that wasn't so unobtrusive," that my baby had observed a quick peck on the lips between the two newlyweds and then engaged her sense of observation to blurt out a related comment.

We often don't realize how our actions, no matter how little and how small, are being observed by these little people we are raising.  I think if we realized it more, all of our actions would be kinder and gentler all the time. There would be more kisses and hugs and less irritation. More asking of questions and problem solving and less telling of what to do.

I know we don't get it right all of the time, but I'm hopeful that we are getting it right a lot of the time.  Especially when a three year old will observe and comment to others on the good.  At least she's not saying "my mommy and daddy yell at each other." She makes me hopeful that there is enough love and joy in her life that she is comfortable letting the world know that we love each other and aren't afraid to show it.