my 2-year old daughter, like most 2-year-old daughters, has a doll that she has latched onto. she carries it around; it rides in the car with us; she puts it down for naps. this particular doll has limited interaction: touch her cheek, "mama"; tickle her foot: laughter; squeeze her hand: crying. Lily, of course, does not understand the catalyst for her Darla vocalizing. However, her reaction is always the same. she does not sing to Darla, she does not chastise her, she does not try and converse with her, she does not ignore her
Lily simply touches Darla's head and softly states, "Darla, I am right here. I am right here."
The one and only most important priority in the Lily/Darla relationship is presence; rain or shine, good or bad, light or dark, Lily simply states, "I am right here."
There seems to be no end to what I can learn from a child.
shanti,
mjh
