Gertie

[This is a story I’ve been telling Adelaide at bedtime.  I’m hoping that if I tell myself stories about a patient, calm mother who handles an unruly young one with grace, I might start to be just like that mama.]

Gertie was a giraffe who lived with her mother in the jungle.  They liked to take long walks and use their very long tongues to eat leaves off trees.

One day,  Gertie was thirsty.  So her mother decided to take her to the water hole.

Gertie was excited, and was running very fast.

“Slow down Gertie, or you might slip and get hurt,” her mother reminded her.

But Gertie was excited, and she ran fast, and she slipped, and she hurt her knee.

Gertie’s momma checked her leg, and then asked, “Gertie, would you like me to sit with you until you feel better?”

“Yes mama,” said Gertie.

So Gertie’s mama sat with her until she felt better.  And they used their very long tongues to eat leaves off the trees while they sat.

When Gertie was ready, she and her mama started walking toward the water hole again.  But Gertie was still thirsty, and now she was tired too.  She was walking slowly.

“Keep going, Gertie.  We need to keep moving if we’re going to get some water,” Gertie’s mama reminded her.

But Gertie was thirsty and tired and stopped to cry.

Gertie’s mother said, “Gertie, would you like me to sit with you until you’re ready to walk again?”

“Yes, mama,” said Gertie.

So Gertie’s mama sat down next to Gertie.  While they rested, Gertie and her mother used their very long tongues to eat leaves off trees.  After they had rested a few minutes, it was time to start walking again.  Gertie was still tired, so Gertie’s mother helped her to the water hole.  [In my head I have this great picture of a little giraffe laying limp over her mother’s back, legs dangling down, head dangling down, tongue hanging out, etc]

When they got to the water hole, Gertie and her mother took long drinks of the cool water.  Gertie felt much better.  When they’d had enough, Gertie and her mother used their very long tongues to eat leaves off trees.

Then, Gertie found a ball to play with.

Gertie was having fun with the ball when Gertie’s friend Karen came over.

Karen was in a bad mood and took the ball away!

Gertie was sad!  She cried!  Gertie’s mother came over and said, “Gertie, I’m sorry the ball is gone.  Would you like me to sit with you until you feel better?”

“Yes, mama,” said Gertie.

So Gertie’s mother sat with her while she calmed down.  When Gertie was ready, she walked over to Karen and said, “Karen, could I have the ball back please?”

But Karen was still not feeling very nice.  Instead of giving the ball back to Gertie, Karen kicked the ball as hard as she could.  Karen kicked the ball so hard that she fell down on her bottom.  Karen was hurt.  Karen started to cry!

Gertie looked at the ball and looked at Karen.  Then she said, “Karen, do you want me to sit with you until you fell better?”

“Yes Gertie,” said Karen.

[If you were writing a story to reinforce a parenting concept or practice using a line like “Would you like me to sit with you” what would your story be about?]