Pandas & Steaks

Oh...my sweet P,

It was a strange, strange day today!

I worked all day (9+ hours) and was exhausted when done and you were tired too. When I came "home", N (our fabulous babysitter) told me about your day.

She took you for a really long bike ride with L & R (N's son) took their nap. At the end of the ride, you freaked out over the "panda" trees. She said you were to the point of tears, came home and hid under a blanket and almost fell asleep you were so afraid. "Panda" trees are birch trees (I think), they are white, a little shaggy looking, with dark spots and you were convinced pandas were going to come down out of them and bite you.

I could hardly believe the story. You have never been this afraid of anything. She did some research with you, showed you bamboo on the computer so you could see where pandas really live and said you were doing better. I could hardly believe you'd be afraid of pandas, after all we have an entire room in our home dedicated to Mommy's panda collection. I love them and have since I was five. How could you develop this intense of a fear towards them at the same age?

Then, you did something impolite to R and I sent you to time-out just before they left. I got a taste of what N was talking about. You freaked out again, because from the time-out chair you could see the "panda" trees. I forced the time-out issue, hoping I wasn't doing something wrong and traumatizing you, eventually I caved and moved time-out to a new spot. The stairs...those didn't work either...you could still see the tree, so I gave up.

Then Daddy came home. By now, you probably know, he can be ruthless at times like this and he laughed at your fear and forced the issue more and more. I was worried and laughing at the same time. It did seem a bit ridiculous, but I could tell you were really scared and that worried me.

You wanted to watch songs on YouTube. Madagascar and Spiderman theme songs, specifically. This took your mind off the pandas for awhile, but then Daddy wanted to show you KungFu Panda. I was leary, but Daddy persevered. You did really well and said that panda was ok.

At some point in here, Daddy asked about dinner and you said, "I want steaks." Steaks? Really? How is it in one evening you can go this much against your MOmmy? First, pandas and now asking for red meat from your Mommy who spent 5 or so years as a vegetarian. But, oh, did you please your Daddy! He was thrilled and wished he had a huge New York Strip on the grill to satisfy your craving. But chicken will have to do tonight.

Then I had you get the globe. You showed me where we live and I showed you that pandas live on the other side of the world. We talked about how there was no way a panda would come out of one of our trees and hurt you. You told me you would never go there (to China). I was sad. I said ok, but Mommy is going there some day. You asked why and I told you because I love pandas and I want to see them in China some day. You asked if they'd be in a cage and I said hopefully no, I really want to see them in the wild. That got you worried all over again. So, I backed off and you seemed to be doing fine.

We were taking you to Grammy & Grandpa's house for the evening so I was a little worried about leaving you there in this state, but I still wanted the night out with Daddy, so I went to get ready. I could hear Daddy take you outside and you were talking about the panda trees again, but when I came downstairs you were still fine. Later, Daddy told me he made you go across the street and touch the tree and now you were fine. Pandas weren't going to hurt you anymore and the trees weren't panda trees! Cured! Yay! I could continue my love of pandas and not feel conflicted about the fear I was imparting on you!

However, throughout the whole evening, Layla has been listening to you, as she always is! And now she is afraid of red pandas. Who cares? Not Mommy, she never really liked them anyways. And isn't affecting Layla nearly like the pandas did you.

I think we're all over this episode. Layla hasn't mentioned red pandas at all. You mention pandas but realize they aren't going to hurt you and live far away. I realize it's just a phase, as is almost everything at this point in your life. And Daddy is still waiting for the day there is enough time to grill you up one of his fabulous steak dinners!

I love you, P, even in all of your oddities,
Mommy