Independence?

Grand #3 turned 3 years old this year! Already! She is still absolutely adorable! We love every minute we get to spend with her!

That said, there are three things that, for some reason, surprise me. Maybe it's the years--I just don't remember these things about my boys? Or maybe it is the difference in girls and boys? Or it could just be this sweet little girl.

She is so good to invite me or Grandpa to come and do things with her--dance, read, draw, etc. She loves puzzles, even though she's just at the beginning of figuring them out. So, she said, "Grandma! Come do puzzles with me! Come on, Grandma!" Who can resist? I joined her on the floor and proceeded to start turning pieces over. She threw out her hand faster than anything, her hand in a "stop" position. "No, Grandma! Don't touch!" Apparently, puzzles are something I watch? Unless she tells me what to do! Makes me chuckle! (Until I have to get up off the floor!)

Along those same lines, she knows what is hers. I regularly get reminded, "Don't use mine!" "Don't eat my food." "That's my book." The latest incident involved her Chapstick, which I keep with my make-up. I went to do my lips and her little hand shot out again, hand in that "stop" position. "Don't use mine, Grandma!" I had to show her both hers and mine at the same time before she let go of my arm.

As independent as she is getting, she is still my little girl. She is quite the shadow--literally on my heels almost all of the time, to the point that I have to turn around carefully and check to see how close she is. She also will slide up onto my lap no matter what I'm in the middle of--cooking, sewing, playing piano, drawing--whatever. She has a need to be completely immersed in what I'm doing.

There are times when that gets tricky--frustrating, even. But I recognize that all of these things (and more) are part of her development. I will let her assert independence and ownership. I will let her be part of what I am doing

because she is also learning about that activity. More than that, though, she is seeking safety in the closeness as she explores independence. I am quite honored that I get to be a safe, learning place for her!