As a little child, my parents used a parenting technique which is fairly common. So common, in fact, that some of the parenting world calls it "1,2, 3 Magic." I'm sure most of you have heard it used or have used it yourself. (Johnny, if you don't do x by the time I count to 3, y will be the result.) Well, the other day, I heard one of my children saying something. I had just told her for the upteenth time to lay down for her nap. As I put my own head down to rest, I heard, "Lay down. Me 'tount to free. 1, 2...pause...me tay free you in trouble.. pause...free." My first reaction was, "What did you say?"
This episode had a huge effect on me! I went through a whole range of emotions. I laughed because she had mimicked me so well. Later I was chastined--Because she had mimicked me so well. I was afraid, because I realized that when I'm least expecting it, she can mimic me so well. I was also relieved, because I'd rather have her mimicking me than someone else.
