One of the many precious little cousins I have is a baby boy named RJ. I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot time with RJ, so he and I are pretty tight. He even says some adorable version of my name that's not quite Kechia, but is still the cutest thing I've heard. I often talk to RJ as if he's not a toddler. (And I'm almost certain he understands.) Among my most favorite things to say to him is "RJ, use your words" and "make a good decision." He would havs his sippy cup in hand, ready to throw it, and I'd calmly say "RJ, make a good decision." When he decided not to throw the cup, my aunt (his grandmother) and I would lavish extra attention on his stellar decision-making skills. He could be in the middle of a miniature tantrum, and I'd say "RJ, use your words." I always found it amusing. While it's effectiveness for getting him to communicate with me differently is a debatable, it was all apart of me acknowledging that RJ is a smart AND autonomous being.
Today, I was thinking about RJ whom I haven't saw in six months.😩😔 Those two phrases came to mind. "Use your words." "Make a good decision." If RJ who is now two years old can use his words and make good decisions, we who are two times a double digit number are certainly capable of doing the same thing.
I'm offender number one. When my feelings are hurt or I'm upset, I often do not rely on my ability to communicate effectively. Whatever message I intend to get across is so often lost in my poor delivery, also known as the adult version of a toddler's tantrum. Like RJ, we are smart and autonomous. The responses and reactions we choose to employ are independent. So, let's use our words constructively and make good decisions.
