You might remember when I was interested in your take on using the word "no". The truth is, I still do not differ from my opinion. I do only say "no" when Hailey is about to do or get into something that is dangerous, hot, or, let's be honest: when I have redirected in 6,500 other ways and she is still not changing her course of action.
Perhaps it's because when I do say "no", I say it sternly, but Hailey's newest and greatest word is "no".
It's not just "no", but it's "no" with the head shake back and forth, or it's "nonononononono" as she pushes you away. Sometimes it's appropriate, like when I ask her if she wants more of something. If she does not want it, "no" is an appropriate response in my opinion. Of course I'm reinforcing the more polite "no, thank you", but my expectation is not for her to say that. In fact, she can say, "yes", "yeah", and "okay", so having the negative form of those in her vocabulary is fine with me.
Want to know what's not fine with me?
Me: Let's put a coat on, Hailey.
H: Nonononononono (while running away)
Me: ::picking up Hailey to walk across a parking lot::
H: no (shakes head) no (shakes head) no (shakes head)
Really, kid, not that whining from frustration was much better, but this "no" thing, although barely two weeks old, is getting old real fast.
Overall, however, there's less crying in this house. I wrote down her vocabulary in her baby book a couple of nights ago and, not including animal sounds and only focusing on things she says out of identification (ie not just words she repeats when we ask her to say them), got to around 45 words. My new favorites are "read" and "help". Oh, and "elbow", but just because I think it's a funny word for her to say. And as of last night, we realized she knows what m-i-l-k spells. The hubs and I are now testing our ESP skills with sentences that do not complete themselves and expressions that often include wide eyes or head nods. We've come a long way since college… ;)
I'm taking this new "no" thing in strides, because I have to remind myself that she is really healthy and thriving, and that saying "no" to me is no different to her than telling me she does want something. In fact, that probably is the same to her. She is telling me what she wants is not to do something, right?
Who told my daughter she could be an independent thinker? I.mean.really…
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