Coping Advice From a Toddler

You know those moments when you're frustrated, pushed to the end of your rope, just plain pissed off? Or even mildly irritated but still want to kick something or somebody but can't because all there are around are little kids or people WAAAYYY bigger than you? Well, I have a new hero in handling those moods. Who? If you're guessing Ghandi or Mother Theresa or Kissinger, you are sooooo far off the mark. It's my 14-month old granddaughter.

We call her the Machine because she just never stops. Usually in her own little world, she plows through life like the world and all in it has been put there for her consumption and hers alone. She's independent, strong-willed and resourceful. But those are none of the reasons she is my mood hero (heroine?). She is occasionally tormented (frustrated) by her older sister who can be a little less than willing to always share her toys, but being the younger sibling, there is a pecking order that has to be followed...most of the time.

The other day I was coming down the hall at my daughter's when I heard the sound of little footsteps running flat out through the living room. The sound was quickly followed by the "Machine" rounding the corner and heading down the hallway as fast as her chubby little legs would let her go. Her arms were straight back behind her as if she were flying (which she really was). Following her was the sound of her sister's screams. I stepped back and watched as she ran into their bedroom, rushed to the window, pulled back the drape and deposited her sister's binky on the window sill. She pulled the drape back into place, turned around and ran back out of the room. She had the biggest smile on her face as she flew back down the hall!

Now that's what I call coping.

How great would it be to handle ignorant/idiotic/dense/irritating/stupid people by simply hiding their binky? You wouldn't have to say a word (or many words) which would probably have to be taken back and/or followed with an apology. No need for any violent behavior for which amends would have to be made. No bombs, guns, or any other lethal weapons. Just hide the binky.

It's pure genious.