Clean up time

OK, one last story tonight... This one falls into the category of "Awww," so those of you who want to avoid treacle-y posts are hereby forewarned.

The other day, Myla had her friend over, and they'd make a decent-sized mess with the toys and such. After her friend and friend's Mom left, I asked Myla to clean up.

Nothing doing.

I asked her to help me clean up. Not interested. Arrrghh!

Now, being pretty much on the Anal Retentive side, I can't stand a lot of clutter. I don't care if the house is really clean or not, but I DO need everything put away. Naturally, this means that I do a lot of straightening up. Carrie has gotten really good about it as well, fortunately for me... Thank goodness I have learned over time to think "correctly" about cleaning up - when I am done with it, I feel like I've accomplished something, I am happy with how the house looks, and it really doesn't take that much effort, so I don't mind most of the time.

On this particular day, though, I really did mind. Myla could tell, too. I don't know if that's because I am super easy to read (I would not be a good poker player), or because she's really perceptive. I'll go with a little bit of both.

So, Myla says to me, "Why are you mad, Daddy?"

Which is pretty cool, if you think about it. I wish adults would ask me that sometimes. In the past, I've squashed bad feelings, so I often wasn't even consciously aware that I was getting angry or frustrated. I have been working on that, but it is a slow process...

I told Myla I was getting frustrated because she wasn't helping me to clean up.

All of that Montessori tuition, and she still won't pick up her damn toys at home?!?

Myla responded by coming over, gently grasping my hand, then kissing my hand. She said, "I'll help clean up. Does that make you feel better?"

Awwwww! How sweet.

It makes me really happy to know that Myla has a strong sense of empathy. I think empathy is really underated.

I know she probably inherited some EQ, but I'd also like to think that this type of thing is an indication that Carrie and I are doing a good job "raisin' her up good."