stupid.

The other day, I over heard Ezra yelling at one of his toys. It was faint but I heard the words "Stupid" and "Blockhead". Both of which he learned from Charlie Brown!

(Ezra absolutely LOVES to watch "Charlie Brown and the Great Big Pumpkin". Ezra calls it "Charlie and the Pumpkin Patch". I've tried to hide the movie from him knowing that it has bad words, but the DVD case is in a bright orange label that he seems to spot even if it so happens to be hidden on top of our refrigorator!!)

So, getting back to my story, I heard him use those words and I called for him. He innocently came out and I told him sternly, "'Stupid' and 'blockhead' are NOT nice words. They make people very upset and sad." Of course his reply was, "Why?" (that's his answer to everything!). So, I explained to him that those words mean that a person is not smart and doesn't think with his or her brain. And he asked again, "Why?" I grabbed his shoulders and loudly said, "How would you like to be called 'stupid' and 'blockhead'?" I was hoping my intensity would show how negative the words are, but it kind of scared him because then, I saw worry in his eyes. He finally said, "No Mom. I don't like it." He looked so sad and I began to hug him and tell him that he's not stupid or a blockhead and neither is anyone else in this world! I told him that Heavenly Father would NEVER consider anyone 'stupid' and that was that.

[Okay, as I'm writing this and reflecting on the experience, I'm realizing how bi-polar I am! One minute, everything's cool and Ezra's playing with his toys. The next, I'm yelling at him! Then, immediately after that, I'm hugging and praising him!! ...Gosh, what's wrong with me?!]

Continuing on.... today, as I'm driving out of Kapolei, I see that the traffic heading towards Wai'anae is crazy! So, I mumble, "Stupid!", and all of a sudden I hear Ezra say, "Mom!! That-is- NOT-a-nice-word! It makes people very sad and you should never, never EVER say that!" He looked genuinely upset and he even pointed his little pointer finger at me! I felt so.. so... STUPID! I seriously thought I was going to cry! I apologized, but even that didn't stop him from chastising me! He scolded me for a couple minutes until he finally accepted my apology and said, "Okay."!!

Today, my little boy taught me yet another one of life's great lessons. It wasn't the lesson of speaking kind words, but to PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH! Talk about a stupid blockhead on my part??!!