Our little moppet India

Okay, my friends, so now you’ve met our little quicksilver Sam. Let’s have a little chat about his adoring big sister, India. Nineteen months older than Sam, we often forget that she’s only 2 ½ (especially Mr PB who often has to be reminded that he is 20 times older than her!).

India using my grandmother's old swing

A born chatterbox, she animatedly holds her own in conversations with big brother Joshua, who’s two years older. She didn’t really ‘do’ parallel playing for that long, always preferring to be in the middle of the action with her brother. They are quite inseparable, really, which can be both a blessing and a burden. In the main, they play well together and then miss each other when they’re apart. Here they are, the best of friends, posing in their new handknitted scarves.

So, what are India’s main characteristics? Well, she’s sweet-natured with a very affectionate, caring and compassionate disposition, especially concerned about her brothers’ welfare at all times and often acting as ‘mother hen’ around them. She’s always on the case, checking for dangerous items which need to be removed from Sammy’s reach. She’s the first to report if someone is injured or requires assistance. She’s my little helper when disaster strikes, acting swiftly and following my instructions closely (Joshie, meanwhile, has probably run away and hidden!). She enjoys looking at her ‘sick book’, a first aid book which she brandishes if anyone burns or cuts themself!

She’s very thoughtful, something which has taken me quite by surprise to find in one so young. Of course, she’s as self-absorbed as the next child but she also, of her own volition, can put herself in someone’s shoes. And often. I find her empathy quite fascinating. She did a blue and green painting for me at daycare this week “because they’re your favourite colours, Mummy” instead of using the pink she normally loves. She actually goes out of her way to find out what people like and then, somehow, stores it in her elephantine-like memory. Just lovely. That will be a treasured quality as she grows older if she manages to retain it.

Her sense of humour is well-developed and a little bit wicked. She can certainly see the funny side in things, something which Mr PB finds particularly appealing as the jokester of the family (I can already see years of ‘Dad jokes’ stretching ahead of us on PB). She’s not afraid to pull a funny face (and request it be photographed for posterity). That’s also something Mr PB is happy to oblige! She can do some crazy things – we have decided the family needs to keep a book on ‘The crazy things India does’ (note to self: stop talking about it and start writing it). Like the time she was bouncing on Joshua’s bed next to the open window and managed to spring out the window onto the verandah, to her great shock. She laughed straight away, though! I’ve also lost count of the number of times she’s ended up with paint from head to toe. Including in her hair. Here she is, aged 19 months.

She’s quite theatrical, already posing and mimicking people as she twirls about, trying out the latest dance. She adores reciting nursery rhymes or bursting into song. With her fantastic memory, I wouldn’t be surprised if she dabbles in acting at a later point. She’s shown a deep fascination with painting from an early age, often brandishing brushes in each hand at the same time. She’ll then stand back, observe the painting for a moment and pronounce “I’m finished now”. Not a stroke more or less. Just priceless! Here's a recent (glitter-laden) work.

She’s also extremely strong-willed, something which can drive us to distraction. Her ability to wear down Mr PB  swiftly is quite extraordinary – the squeakiest wheel definitely does get oiled first by Mr PB! Dealing with a stubborn child certainly has its ‘moments’, doesn’t it? They are those ‘challenging’ times when the thought “Beam me up, Scotty” springs to my mind. Then again, in the dictionary, stubbornness is just another word for tenacity or perseverance so if harnessed properly, India might well benefit from this particular trait! Well, that’s the thought I’m clinging to…

Then again, it’s hard to know how much of it relates to her age and all that entails. I like to call them the ‘terrific twos’ instead of the ‘terrible twos’ – let’s try to be positive! How much is related to her particular temperament? Then there’s the good old gender question. Not to mention the complex nature versus nurture argument – how many of these characteristics are inherently hers and how many are the result of her environment and upbringing? Oh, and let’s not leave out the whole ‘order of birth' question! They’re things I ponder in my (rare) quiet moments. Like most parents, I suppose – tell me I’m not alone!

On the whole, however, India is just delightful to raise. She’s always interacting and participating, willing to contribute to whatever’s going. She’s increasingly identifying with me as a ‘girl’ on PB, something which has also both surprised and delighted me. She’s now delighting in having ‘girly time’ with both me and her grandmothers. The other day the two of us visited The Faerie Shop I mentioned here and whiled away a pleasant half hour choosing sweet little fairy figurines for her new ‘collection’. We then visited the ribbon shop where she helped me select a variety of pretty ribbons to tie up her long hair. It was a cheap treat but it gave her immeasurable pleasure to take them home and show them to the boys. She now delights in the daily discussion of how we’ll do her hair – fringe back only, ponytail, pigtails or plaits (normal or French)? Ribbons or hairbands? I must admit, it is rather lovely to have another girl in the house!

Anyway, it’s time for bed. Next, I’ll have a chat about Joshua. Good night!

Jane