Every day is a game of 420 questions with my 3-year-old lately. This kid makes Curious George look like an amateur. During a recent drive home, we had the following conversation:
Madeline, referring to a song that was playing about how Christians can change the world with their love (I’m not sure of the name of the song or the artist, but I think I got the gist of it): What does it mean to “change the world”?
Me: I think they’re meaning to be kind to others, to make sad people happy. That kind of thing.
Madeline: When have you helped sad people?
Me: When you and your sister cry, I try to comfort you.
Madeline: Who else? (Read between the lines: Uh, Mom, that’s a given.)
Me: I’ve helped Gaba [my mom] when she’s sad and my friends and Uncle Josh…
Madeline: Before I was born?
Me: Yes, and since you were born, too. Gaba’s not sad very often, but when she is, I try to help her like she helps me.
Madeline: Gaba’s only sad when there’s an emergency, right?
Me, chuckling.
Madeline: Right?
Me: I guess. I’m not sure we’ve ever had an emergency.
Madeline: Mommy, tell me about emergencies until we get home. Please.
Me: Okay. An emergency is something that requires urgent action like when someone gets hurt, you might have to call an ambulance or when someone needs money to pay bills or something… (Can you tell I’m struggling here?)
Madeline: Oh! Like when Baby Rae climbs the stairs. That’s an emergency.
Me: Sort of.
Madeline: Sort of?
Oh, God, help me…