5. Dylan needs to read.

the original statement goes "they need to read. fast. and remember."

reading is one of my hobbies but i only become an avid reader quite late when i was about 15 years old. i am a slow reader and i savor the process of reading and the ah-ha moments while reading more than to memorize the contents of the book. so i am not so sure about the necessity of "fast" and "remember"? (unless he intends to be a lawyer?!)

but dylan does need to read. and develop a love for reading. not only is it enjoyable but it opens doors and widens horizons and most importantly enhances knowledge. and i am a firm believer in having a passion for learning so i do hope he starts bugging me to buy books for him soon!

4. Dylan needs to tell the truth.

i think this is a given.. honesty and integrity are two virtues every good person would have... they determine if you are reliable, dependable to finish a task the right way... the implications in the real world!! .... i cant imagine how people without these two values live with themselves?!

but how do inculcate these values?

watched a video on Ellen recently of a little boy who lied right through his teeth that he didnt snack when he had not cleaned his mouth... his mother kept reminding him that he should speak the truth but he repeatedly insisted that he didnt snack... made me wonder: where did he learn that lying is a better option?

perhaps we should consciously make the effort to not penalize and instead praise them when they do tell the truth... i mean all too often our first reaction to an unpleasant or painful truth is getting upset and lashing out..

and modeling is always the right way to go... that means admitting to them when we make a mistake and having the courage to confess the truth... 

but perhaps for toddler Dylan, we can start with stories of "cry wolf" and "pinocchio"??

3. Dylan needs to see us light up..

certainly not a cigarette!

but our faces... a slow smile widening with every second the moment he walks in after school. or when we walk in after work...

dylan, without a doubt, has been lighting up my face... even when he is waking me up on the one day i dont have to wake up early... he has a way of brightening my moments now... but i do find it a little hard to imagine this still happening 7 years down the road or *gulp* 14 years down the road...

perhaps, that's why this reminder is here.. it has to happen no matter what. we have to consciously make it happen no matter what. bad work day. hectic crazy day. saddest news received day. no matter the kind of day you had, when you are back home and with your loved ones, they deserve to enjoy the best company you can give and a welcoming smile first thing you step into the house would be the right way to go..

easier said than done? try it anyway!

i believe it will go a long way... towards building trust and bond... and that makes all the difference..

i have to admit.. my heart melts to see his slowly widening smile when he sees me appear... =)

2. Dylan needs to catch moonbeams.

i am not sure if this being point number 2 means it is very very important.. fact is i am not sure if i myself have ever catch moonbeams.. but i suppose it relates to the importance of not taking life too seriously? that it's okay (perhaps even crucial) to sometimes do seemingly futile and silly stuff... i certainly do a lot of those stuff.. life cant be all about work and no play... catching moonbeams should be fun... and a good start to just being appreciative of the present moment... not too mention that beauty.. perhaps he will start asking questions about the universe?

wish i was told when it's a good age to do such things.. is 1.5 years old too young?

1. Dylan needs to see that we love him completely.

yes. we love him completely. the way he is. (bruno mars starts singing..)

it makes perfect sense that this is the very first point. it all boils down to love. to me, it means lots of hugs and kisses, smiles and laughter, cheers and encouragement. no matter what.

as of now, dylan is super lovable. but the terrible two does show up once in a while, then it becomes important to be firm. lovingly and kindly so. all The Little Gym spiels i am so familiar with are coming back to me. ha!

i pray we will always remember this point, especially when what dylan wants isnt what we want.