Small towels, big mouths

June 14th, 2005

Our childcare provider regularly sends notes home to remind us to send diapers or buy more baby wipes.

David grimly handed me yesterday’s note. “Just read,” he said.

In her cheerful penmanship, our childcare provider had written:

Two small towels please—thank you!

P.S. ‘My mom told me President Bush is a bad person and he kills people.’

—Sophie

I clapped one hand over my mouth.

“Yup,” said David.

Over dinner, I asked Sophie if they had talked about the president at daycare.

“Yeah,” she said, nibbling on a cucumber slice.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“I told B. you said he was a mean person who kills people.”

I gulped. “I really don’t think I said that.”

Sophie nodded vigorously. “Yes, you did.” She speared another bit of cucumber.

“I don’t think Mommy used those exact words,” I protested weakly.

Semantics. Sophie shrugged and kept eating.

I rested my elbows on the table. “What did she say when you said that?” I asked.

“She said no, he’s a good person.”

“And what did you say then?”

She turned to face me. “I said, ‘No, BELIEVE ME.’”

Dear Lord. It was worse than I thought.

“Then what happened?” I asked.

“Then they all said President Bush is a good person. Everybody did.”

Sophie stopped chewing and waited patiently for me to respond.

I wrestled with this for a moment. By God, there had to be a learning opportunity in here somewhere.

I cleared my throat. “Um, you know how you and Merrie don’t always agree on what game to play?”

She nodded.

“Well, talking about George Bush is a lot like that. People don’t always agree on whether or not he’s a good president. But it doesn’t mean you can’t be friends.”

“Because they’re good people. And I’m a good person too,” Sophie replied.

Huh. “Exactly,” I said.

She put down her fork. “Mommy, I have a question.”

“What?”

“May I be excused from the table?”

Later I emailed B. to see if she was still willing to associate with our pinko commie household.

She responded with her usual diplomacy and good humor: “I respect her having an opinion, and encourage all to talk politics with me. I am always willing to learn from the kids! P.S. Your secrets are safe with me!!!!!”

B., if you ever want a new career, they could sure use you in Washington, D.C. (But, man, would we hate to lose you.)

P.S. And yes—you should definitely write that book. It’s got ‘bestseller’ written all over it…

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, Play nice! (Politics & Religion), Because I said so. (Parenting), Tattletales. (Mouths of babes)