A Teachable Moment for Daddy

As I have mentioned before, my daughter is learning a whole host of new tricks at day care. She knows that when she claims someone hit her, she gets the attention of any nearby adult.

This was cute at first, as she was claiming her stuffed animals were hitting her.

A few days ago, she came running over to me, claiming that the baby just kicked her. I looked over and the baby was in his crib, well out of my daughter's reach.

Aha! A teachable moment. I knew there would be several of these during my fatherhood career. What would Bill Cosby do?

My daughter's still little, so I don't want discipline here. I decided that the best tactic was to start with the difference between truth and fiction.

"Sweetie, it's important that you tell Mommy and Daddy what actually happened, you understand?"

"Uh-huh, yes."

"Did the baby actually kick you?"

"Uh-uh."

"When you talk to Mommy and Daddy, you need to tell them the truth, what actually happened. It's important. Okay?"

"OK!"

I continued trying to explain that I knew the baby did not kick her and she needs to tell the truth. When I was done, I said:

"OK. Let's go tell the baby what we talked about."

Satisfied that she understood, we walk over to the crib.

"No kicking, baby! No kicking. No kick me, baby!"

I don't think I got through.