Juliet the Parrot

Last week, I had a parent-teacher conference at Juliet's school.  Thankfully, this was a routine deal where all parents go in to discuss their children's progress - not some conference required because my child was misbehaving.

In the conference, the school's curriculum director and Juliet's teacher talked to me about Juliet's strengths and weaknesses and about where she fell among other children her age.  I was pleased to learn that her communication skills were at the top of the charts and that she was the only one in her class to know all her colors and most of her letters and numbers.

I would love to be able to tell you what we've done to foster Juliet's mastery of such things, but I have to be honest.  I think we do what most parents do: we talk to her a lot without using baby talk, and we read to her all the time.  And when we read, we stop and ask her questions about what she sees on the pages and ask her to identify things.  That's about it.  No Baby Einstein videos or tapes.  No Mozart.  Just good, old fashioned reading.

Like most children, Juliet has started repeating what she hears others say.  This has been going on for quite a while now, but it's becoming much more obvious lately.  For example, we were in the car together on Friday.  I stopped to get gas and purchased a car wash at the pump.  I drove to the wash and realized I'd forgotten the receipt with the wash code on it, so as I turned the car around, I said, "Oh crap.  I'm such an idiot."  And Juliet promptly said, "Oh crap. I'm an idiot."  Whoopsie.

It's funny, too, how she'll pick up on things you don't realize she's picking up on.  Whenever I'm holding or feeding Anna, Juliet likes to ask me to do things for her.  And she will ask again and again and again even after I explain that I'll help her as soon as I'm done with Anna.  Sometimes, I get frustrated with her repeated requests and will say, "I'm working on it!"  Today, Juliet had my car keys and was trying to lock Anna's door with them.  I asked, "Are you trying to lock Anna's door?" and she said quickly in the exact same exasperated tone I'm sure I use, "I'm working on it!"

In my ongoing quest to get Juliet to do what I ask her to do without me having to repeat myself, I've instituted a count.  Before Ray left, he started this with her, using a countdown from five, and that's what I've continued with.  I've found it to be very effective as she knows she won't like what happens if I get to one.  But never has it been more clear that the counting-consequence made an impact with Juliet than when we were outside throwing the ball for Ninja late last week.  (Please excuse her lack of pants and her messy hair.  She's two and does what she wants far more than I'd like.)

I love this kid.