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Language Lessons and Economics

My ongoing lessons in Toddler-ese are continuing, however, my son's penchant for making words up has become something of a stumbling block. Two days ago, he requested that I tell him a bedtime story about "Tokkies," and I felt pangs of anxiety.

I was simply unable to determine whether I had knowledge of these purported "Tokkies." Luckily, I diverted his attention to something else, but I was still confused: Had we discussed "Tokkies" before, and when?

Usually, it only takes a couple of questions to determine whether: A) a certain Toddler-ese word actually corresponds to an actual concept, and B) what that thing is. However, my questions regarding the "Tokkies" have proven to be unfruitful. An example:

Me: Did you see Tokkies on Disney?

Son: Yes.

Me: Did you see Tokkies on Nickelodeon?

Son: Yes.

[we go online to the Nick website and click links to various shows]

Me: [pointing to the "Three Monsters"] Are these Tokkies?

Son: Yes.

Me: Oh, okay. [pointing to "The Wild Thornberries"] What about these--are these Tokkies?

Son: Yes. [nods head very seriously]

I've asked him the names of the "Tokkies" and he proceeded to provide me with three names, all completely undecipherable and still mysterious. He has started to just make up words lately, so I'm wondering if this is one of those types of things.

But he really is quite funny, and might start to become a tattletale. He informed me that his friend at daycare "made a mess" while eating crackers. Having to maintain my image as the Infallible Parent, I didn't tell him that I, too, make a mess of crackers. I really do. It's terrible. What if he told his daycare provider? She might not let me run around the yard pushing a toy truck, and that would be simply devastating.

I told him that it was okay to make a mess, as long as you clean it up. Besides, we pay people to clean things up in the corporate world all the time, so I'm essentially helping my son learn lessons that help him understand the fabric of the American economy.

So, yes, I'm a good parent, even though I'm still not conversant in Todder-ese.

Posted by equilibrium-girl at April 16, 2004 05:45 PM