Zara was in one of her ‘naughty’ mood this morning.<\/p>\n
I gave Zara her First 1000 words book to ‘read’, while Daddy and I were busy getting ready for work. She was happily flipping, pointing out to things she knew and uttering the words. Since she learnt how to appreciate books<\/a>, she had never torn any pages out of any books. I wonder what happened this time. I went over to her : Zara stood up, and started pulling her pajamas top up (a sign showing that she’s nervous). I picked up the book, and wanted to put it back to the shelf. Zara immediately hugged my leg.<\/p>\n At this time, Daddy stuck his head out from the bathroom, “What happened?”<\/span>. Before he could say anything else, Zara quickly let go of my leg, walked to daddy, and hugged his leg. This is probably her way of saying sorry, so I thought.<\/p>\n I picked her up, and said tenderly, “Zara saying sorry is it? OK, next time don’t tear your book any more ok?”<\/span> I put her down, and continue dressing, while Zara walked to the shelf to pick another book.<\/p>\n 5 seconds later, “PIAAK..” She did it again, this time she tore a page from her Nursery Rhyme book.<\/p>\n I quickly went to her, smacked her hand, and told her sternly, “Zara cannot tear your book! Why Zara naughty?”<\/span> Daddy chipped in, “Zara, you tear your book again huh? Why you naughty?” Zara looked at us (normally if I smacked her, she would fret a bit, but this time she didn’t). What the.. ?? My jaw dropped!<\/p>\n I asked, “And where is Zara going?”<\/span> She just turned back and looked at us one more time, and tried to reach for the door knob, and said “Bye”<\/span> again (of course she’s not tall enough to actually open the door and get out)<\/p>\n Cha-dou! (Cantonese : Being caught off guard)<\/p>\n I can’t help wondering what will happen when she gets older, she’ll pack her bags and go to Mama’s (Cantonese : Paternal Grandma) or YiYi’s (Hokkien : Mum’s sis) house? Or she would talk back like this kid<\/a> when she knows how to speak better?<\/p>\n Note: I normally used yai-yai (Cantonese: naughty in a mild form) instead of naughty, unless she’s really badly behaved. As for smacking, I do it only when warning has been issued and she just ignored it.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n“Ao” (Cat)
\n“Dog”
\n“Nai-yen” (Lion)
\n“Eh-Bit” (Rabbit)
\n<\/span>and then “PIAAK…” she tore out one of the pages; she held the torn piece in her hand and looked at me.<\/p>\n
\nMe : (stern voice) Zara, that’s not nice! Why Zara tear the book?<\/span>
\nZara : Tuck (Take)! (she gave me the torn piece)<\/span>
\nMe : (stern voice) Mummy don’t want!<\/span>
\nZara : (gave me a fake smile)<\/span>
\nMe : (lecture time) Zara likes this book right? Then why Zara naughty? Tear the book? <\/span>
\nNow you see (put the torn piece next to the page it was torn out), you cannot see Elephant any more. <\/span>
\n(Shouted to Daddy) Daddy, you see, Zara tore her book! <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>
\nWhat happened next really caught us off guard.<\/p>\n
\nTossed the torn piece down at the book.
\nWaved her hand in the air and said, “Bye”<\/span>
\nWhile walking towards the bed room door nonchalantly.<\/p>\n