Don’t Jump to Conclusions

The incident in the pictures actually happened several months ago (E was 27 months old) but I keep getting reminded of it and the underlying parenting advice.

So, I wanted to try a little color scavenger hunt, set out several sheets of colored paper and told E that we would look for items to match the colors.

  

Just imagine how many wonderful ideas we might have interrupted by jumping to conclusions and making assumptions! Safety has to come first, of course, but beyond that, I try to give it a bit of time to see what E is actually up to before considering opening my mouth at the risk of ruining the moment.

Now, I’m definitely not perfect and still speak at times before I can stop myself. However, I’m consciously working at assuming she’ll do good, just maybe not the way I’d planned, rather than warning her off {and maybe even planting mischievous ideas in her head} before she even gets a chance to show me whatever it was she wanted to do.

If “everyone” assumes you’re up to no good, you may as well do whatever you want, right?

What do you think? How do you handle moments like these? Tell me in the comments!