How do you have that conversation with an extremely curious 2 year old?
Tonight, she and I went grocery shopping together...
She didn't cry when I grabbed a 'normal' shopping cart... by normal, I mean not the gigantic green race car cart
She followed me closely while we made our rounds through the deli and the produce section
She even allowed me to hold her hand through a few isles
BUT THEN...
She must've remembered that she's only 2 because...
All of a sudden, it was not OK to listen to Mama anymore
All of a sudden, it was a good idea to run down the isles in front of passers by.. with and without carts
I then heard myself go from cool, calm and collected to what I imagine a mother of more than one sounds like often; I put on my best I'm serious face and told her that it was not ok to ignore me, that she must listen to me and.... BRACE YOURSELF... that I need to keep her safe from strangers.
Why? Why? Why?
Isabella is going through her why? stage... I have to Google a lot of answers to her questions because I am just not satisfied with answers like: because that's just the way it is or because I said so. I prefer to simply state that I don't know and then we look it up together... we both learn.
Anyway, for the remainder of our shopping experience, Isabella asked me very loudly, I might add, why? Why are strangers dangerous?
Why are there bad people?
Why would a bad person want to take her?
Why do people take other people?
I wasn't prepared to have this conversation tonight. I really wanted to have this detailed conversation at home, with Elias as back up and proof that I am not making this stuff up.
I also didn't want to scare her, which is funny because I think I did.
I know that this will be an on-going conversation but I really need to jot down my talking points and try to stick with the plan....
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