little kid

july 27 2007


They've been on vacation for three weeks.

So my girls found other things to do, and with the bad weather we've had all vacation they created a nice dolls vacation centre at their room. The fun they have there... It makes me feel happy that they can play with so much dedication and so content with what they have.

Early this morning a little girl entered the garden gate, just as I went there to lock it.
(My autistic boy sometimes panicks when he sees someone entering unexpectedly.)

The little girl told me... yep.. told me to fetch the girls, because they have to play moms and dads. She even told me which roles my girls had to play.
She's not even 4... and telling 11 year olds what to do is not in my jobgdescription for her.

So I told her that playing is for fun, and it should be fun for everyone.
So that means my girls should have the freedom to play, and the freedom to choose what to do and what not.

Hmm... that gave a moment of silence before she told me to fetch them.

"Little lady. You can't order me around. I make my own decisions.
You can ask me, politely, with a thanks you included, whatever my decision is."

She stared at me... while I was thinking how she orders her parents around.
Her parents adore her for her lovely face, and they tell her every day how intelligent she is, so she thinks she's better than others.

"Will you get the girls"

"No. They're still asleep and I won't wake them when it's vacation.
But I'll tell them you have been here, asking..."

A few moments later my autistic boy almost freaks out because he sees shoes coming from under the gardengate.
It sure looks like someone is walking right through it... invisible.. with visible shoes.

Not even 5 minutes later the little girl is at the front door, with her larger brother.

"We want the girls to come to play."
"Oh".
"I have waited long enough now they should come"

"No, you have waited not even 5 minutes.
Let's be clear: they are asleep and I won't wake them up.
It's vacation, which means we have some freedom to do what we want.
So you have to give us that space.
You're not supposed to ring bells at front doors, walk into gardens of other people, before 12 o'clock.
You force me to answer the door before I even had the chance to shower!

If you wake up early, play at your house. Find a way to enjoy yourself and be silent, so your parents won't feel disturbed.

I'll inform the girls that you have been here when they wake up. It's up to them to decide what they want to do."

Ofcourse I didnt feel kind.
But I have to tell these children so often that other people should have a choice and the world is not centered around them.
They feel so much better than others that it makes me feel sick.
It's not an attitude a child should have.

Self-confidence... OK.
But overestimating yourself?