As most people who know me know, I have a son Maksim, who is 1, and 2 daughters. Cidnée who is 7 and Danielle, or Dani as she is most commonly called, who is 6 and of who this story is all about.

Dani was always a very easy child for me. She was a good eater, and a good sleeper, she rarely cried, and was never the handful that Cidnée was.
And even now, Dani is not an outright handful. She is still quiet and independent and thoughtful, and has been praised repeatedly by her caretakers and schoolteachers as a very wonderful child.

There is one thing about Dani though, and that is her perception. She is a child who soaks up everything. When there is a song playing on the radio that she likes, she will work very hard to learn every word...even when the song is 'Suicidal' and mommy keeps telling her to stop singing it so loud in the grocery store. Luckily, the chances that anyone here will understand what she is saying are slim because everyone is french...but still.

Anyways, on with my story. A while back, as I was putting my girls to bed, Dani was getting on my nerves trying to get all 10 of her dolls into bed with her. She was missing one and asked me to go find it for her. Me, being pregnant with Maksim, and impatient at the time, told her to find it herself and get back into bed. Dani then jumped off the bed and said:

'Ok, Ok, geez, don't freak out!'

Completely taken aback by her words and their typical teenage quality, I started to lecture her about respect and how when she's talking to me, that tone of voice is not to be used, when unexpectedly, I heard my husband giggling in the background.

Puzzled, but ignoring him, I got the girls to bed, and then came out to the living room to find out what was so funny. I asked him if he had heard what Dani had said and if that was what he was laughing at and he nodded.

'Sounded pretty familiar Megan.' he told me pointedly.

I adamantly denied that I talked like that to her, but Christian kept smiling and when I had finished he stated his case.

'Our children attend French daycare and French school. They watch French television and have French uncles and grandparents. The only person they EVER talk to who is English, IS YOU! Where do you think Dani picked up that line? You are the only one who gives them any sort of English background and expressions Megan...she is learning from you.'

After thinking a little, I realized he was right. She is learning  from me. It was a scary thought. Everything I say is going into her brain and she is taking notes and I have to always remember that! I have to remember because this story is funny, but the next one may not be and the next words I accidentally put in her head may not be so innocent.

I just thought that I should share that because I think we sometimes forget the impact our words can have on other people...especially little people.