Today, as we left the Sunken Gardens and I began to strap my daughter into her carseat, Livia became fussy and started crying. The first thing that came to my mind almost came out my mouth: Now, don’t get all crabby and ruin our lovely time, Livia. Fortunately, my father’s advice (Think first, then speak, then act) is finally taking hold and I pondered the patronizing words I had wanted to say. Why did I expect anything other than tears out of my 17 month old child? Here I was, taking her from the fresh air and beauty of the gardens, from the paths where she did her Favorite Activity Ever (aka Walking), from the stone wall where she had been handed turkey and cheese and Sun Chips—and now I was strapping her back down in a stuffy car. Of course she didn’t want to leave! Her behavior was normal and it was silly of me to expect anything else.

I’m amazed sometimes at the words coming from my mouth. I am not simply regurgitating phrases my mother and grandmother used; all of a sudden, for better or for worse, I am tempted to use phrases I’ve heard ANY mother use! Think, speak, act. Hopefully this filter will be present throughout the rest of my life… And then I won’t be tempted to reply to crocodile tears with a shrill, “Now Livia, don’t ruin our lovely time!” : p Who talks like that anyways?!