“Sit right here” is a new game
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme

We hear all the time, “It’s the little things that really matter.” Recently I was reminded of how true this is.

Bella is my eighteen-month-old granddaughter who is beginning to learn how to talk. This week she put together her first sentence. The process of a child learning to speak has always fascinated and amazed parents and grandparents. I’m sure it’s a real relief for the child too when someone actually gets what all their babbling means!

It happened to Bella and I while we were rocking and singing songs. She suddenly jumped off my lap, went to another chair in the family room and patted the chair and said, “Sit right here!”

I couldn’t believe what I heard and simply stared in awe. So, she repeat it again, “Sit right here!” I got up and sat in the chair she was pointing to. Bella’s eyes immediately lit up and a big smile appeared on her face. She was communicating and someone actually understood what she was saying!

She got into the feeling of authority quickly and the orders didn’t stop, “Sit right here!” “Sit right here!” “Sit right here!” Over and over, I would sit where she wanted and each time, her eyes would light up and her smile clearly conveyed the feeling of accomplishment.

As I write this story, I am reminded of how speaking requires not only a speaker but a listener. I am so happy I was able to hear what Bella had to say. How many times in the past have people tried to communicate with me and I never heard what was said? Maybe that’s one of the benefits of being a grandparent, maybe we finally take the time to “Get it!”

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com