Kidscetera

Well, yes and no.

No, because obviously she couldn’t set up her website and post her entries herself. But, the words, stories, and choice of pictures are hers.

Her name is Alex, and this is her blog. I’m just the typist who does the keyboard hammering for her. She’s a pretty stern boss. She asks me to read everything out after I’m done posting, and complains why I do not record everything she says.

Years from now, she’ll get to read this again. I’m sure she’ll ask why I didn’t bother editing her entries. How could I? I’m mom, not editor or grammarian. Then, too, she’s five years old! Naturally, her grammar wouldn’t be impeccable; English is her second language—well, technically, her third but who’s nitpicking? I want her to learn it at her own pace. Language is tactile, experiential. Before rules, there should only be the sheer joy of discovery—nothing more, nothing less.

When I was 10, my favorite word was tintinnabulation. I threw it into almost every sentence I wrote. No one corrected me. I can’t say I’m better off for having been allowed to tintinnabulate as often as I wanted to, but I’m giving my daughter the same freedom. Besides, I find her sentences adorable. They document my little bisdak‘s learning curve. I wouldn’t dream of changing a word.

Dearest firstborn,

I wish you luck in love and language. May you keep it, may it keep you.