Tuesday, November 18, 2008

My Little Jaybird

I think we may have gone too far this time. In our efforts to reinforce good body image and safety within the walls of our home, we may or may not have turned our daughter into a streaker. She likes to be naked. She wears the bare minimum, and is most comfortable running around the house in her panties. We have tried to curb her enthusiasm for running into the living room (no matter who is visiting) after her bath, and before her pajamas.

We may have reached a turning point in our struggle with her desire to be as God made her all the time. We were informed by her preschool teacher (did I mention she goes to school at our church??) that she had an accident on the playground that required her to change her pants in the bathroom.

You see where this is going, don't you?

Apparently, Grace dropped her shirt in the toilet (don't get me started) and decided that she needed to tell her teacher. She gets points for trying to do the right thing, but then it all fell apart quickly thereafter. Telling the teacher involved running down the hallway to her classroom, completely naked with Ms. Lydia trailing close behind trying desperately to catch her.

Guess who made it to the classroom filled with boys and girls?

Oh yes. She did. I shudder to think of the questions some of the little boys asked their parents last night. I have to assume that not all of them have little sisters, and therefore are not familiar with the differences in their bodies. I'm still waiting for the phone calls to start.

Although the nudity in a public place was inappropriate, what we really focused on was the fact that she did not obey her teacher. Ms. Lydia was all but screaming her name and telling her to stop, and she just ignored her. This was the real issue, because she must obey authority whether it is Trevor and me, or her teachers or God. We want her to understand that everyone is under authority, and that is for our good.

Don't worry, we had the discussion about nudity and when and where it's appropriate to be naked. So don't be surprised if you see Gracie on a Girls Gone Wild special in 15 years or so. Although, it really wouldn't be that special at all.

I think I might need to stop now and pray for a minute or 273.

8 comments:

Mocha with Linda said...

Oh this made me laugh! Bless your heart. Don't worry - I'm giving away Vicki Courtney's 5 Conversations book in a couple of weeks! I think I'll put you first in line!!

But she's so cute. And just think of all the bribe material you have when she brings home a serious boyfriend and you pull out the "When Grace was a little girl" stories!!

Lisa said...

I'm sorry for laughing....but it was funny....only because it didn't happen to me! Girls, the never ending fun.

Leah said...

I am so glad you've written this story down for posterity, because it is SURE to come up again. And again. =) But don't you just love her sweet little innocence!? Ooh, there's nothing like it!

luvmy4sons said...

Oh, too preicous. Too cute! Too funny...I could just see it in my mind's eye! What a hoot. When it is not your child that you have to address on this issue or address obedience you can laugh a little more! I used to stare at all my boys down the hall as each ran and delayed getting dressed after a bath and laugh. My sister-in-law happened to be here once as the 10 month, the 2 year old, the 4 year old and the 6 year old were running about...and she said, "That's a lot of dangling participles."

Buffi Young said...

OH MY...that is hilarious!!!! I bet the teachers were SO crackin' up!! Our kiddos like to streak too and after a while I'm like..."get your clothes on already!!!" Hopefully Grace has learned when she CAN and CANNOT streak from this incident!!! She sounds like a little pistol!!!! Have a fantastic day!!! Thanks for sharing your story!! So, so funny!!

Kellye said...

If it makes you feel any better, I had not heard that this had happened and I saw Lydia yesterday and no mention of it... :o) Bless your heart! Love y'all!

Anonymous said...

That is hilarious! I'll never forget when my middle child (age 2 1/2 at the time) - ironically named "Modesty" - decided to totally strip down AT THE PASTOR'S HOUSE! And then run into the living room... Nice...

"...a heritage of they Lord." I believe that is what the Bible calls our children. I have to remind myself often.

I'm a Believer!
Laura

Bethany said...

Oh, I am laughing so hard... because I feel your pain. My youngest two children would much rather be naked.

They once were playing outside in the huge mud puddle that is the end of our driveway. They knew they'd get in trouble if they got their clothes muddy so they TOOK THEM OFF. Outside. At the end of our driveway. In front of God and everybody. :::sigh:::