I was watching an old home video taped 18 years ago on the day of Thanksgiving. Adults were busy chatting or playing and they were the main subject of the screen.
At the lower left corner of the screen, I saw my two and half year old daughter sat at a kid table, she must be having some sort of snack. At first, I saw only a paper plate with something on it, she stood up and walked across the hallway and came back with a spoon and fork. A little while later, she stood up, walked away and came back wirh a large plastic cup, presumably filled with water and ice, sat down again and finished whatever she was eating. I thought to myself, while I was watching video, that was one independent child!
On the same video taped on another day in January 2001, it showed that we were preparing to stow away rhe Christmas tree and decrations. She was busy helping us wrapping lights light, candles oe other decorations and place them to plastic bags. What is even more impressive was her cheerful and sincere "please" and "thank you" at every interaction with us, when we gave her a bag or when she asked us to pass something, or when we answered her question. Never an idle moment.
I am thankful for raising an independent, caring kid with good manners, though I could only take partial credit for it.
