Tip 131: Smiling when the bowl is empty

Its such a joy to teach a young toddler and observe how she learns. A baby or toddler has the enthusiasm and desire to learn everything taught to her without question. With you or without you, the baby will be learning from the moment she is born and starts to take in her new surroundings. Every sight and sound will be part of her learning processs. I was just making a casual remark when Haruka finished a bowl of food. I said with a smile and by making the sign language of finish and saying, "Nai, Nai" (None in Japanese). I was impressed to observe later that Haruka does the same expressions everytime something is finished, instead of being unhappy about it, she has that positive outlook that she understands the concept and wants to let others know. My candid reaction and good mood earlier has done wonders to Haruka, as she repeats now this practice of smiling and expressing happiness when something is empty.












I reflected on this and recalled the tale of Goldlocks and the three bears. The story goes like this: The Bear family is just waking up. Baby Bear goes downstairs and sits in his small chair at the table. He looks into his small bowl. It's empty! "Who's been eating my porridge?" he squeaks. Papa Bear arrives at the table and sits in his big chair. He looks into his big bowl. It too is empty! "Who's been eating my porridge?" he roars.












I am glad now that my initial response was never close to the roar of Papa Bear. Haruka may later understand the concept of work and the need to replenish resources, but I hope she starts off with a positive outlook that there is still the ability to be thankful in every circumstances. Truly, even the ability to recognize the phenomenon that the bowl is empty and that there is an opportunity to fill it later is cause for joy. My previous post shared about the need to affirm good behavior in a baby to help the baby define happiness. Even in her yearnings, the baby can develop a sense of humor and embrace her surroundings better. All this is only made possible through lots of communication and teaching positive values through daddy and mummy's living examples. Truly, later Haruka will begin to choose to think for herself how she prefers to behave, but at least she has learnt one possible way to behave and think. She knows that there is now an option to smile, be contented and be patient till the next bowl of food arrives. Lets see how long this continues, and I will share on this as it helps me to reflect as well the beautiful lessons in life.












I know that by age 2-3, the toddler has more tantrums and may not easily smile because daddy is smiling. What are ways to calm her tantrums?












(Photos show more of Ocean Park including the dolphin show, the sea lions, the aviary, the scene from the cable car - all for a low discounted admission fee of HKD178/USD$23 per adult. Also, at Plaza Hollywood near to Diamond Hill station, Haruka posed with a fan of mine, the funny Maria Cordero or also known as Fat Mama Maria, who sings and stars in many Hong Kong films).