Who knocked the cup over
A cup shattered in the kitchen. Baby Mo pointed at Baby Ais. But his eyes said otherwise.
A cup shattered in the kitchen. Abi walked in, and Baby Mo immediately pointed at Baby Ais — even though she was sitting far away, playing with blocks.
Abi crouched down. Not angry, not rushed. Just asked: "Was Mo holding the cup?" Baby Mo went quiet. Then nodded, small. He can't talk fluently yet, but he already understands shame.
Abi didn't punish. I said: "Cups can be replaced. Honesty is what Abi loves." Then we cleaned up the pieces together. Baby Mo helped pick up (the plastic bits only).
Hold to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to goodness. (Bukhari 6094, Muslim 2607)
Small children lie not out of malice — out of fear. If honesty is always met with anger, they learn to hide. If honesty is met with calm, they learn to open up. Tonight Abi chose to be the safe place to tell the truth.
Related to this story
Parenting
When the Child Starts Lying
Read the story →
Other notes
Hugs Never Run Out
A baby cousin comes to stay, and Umi holds her all day long. "I'm a baby too!" Baby Mo shouts. Can Umi's love run out?
Baby Mo & Baby AisThe Litter-Picking Squad
A little bird pecks at a plastic wrapper in the park. Baby Mo and Baby Ais decide something — and the park is never the same again.