When I got the girls up from their morning nap today, Becky went into my room instead of down the stairs per our usual routine. She closed the door behind her, leaving Susie and I on the other side. I waited for a moment, sure she would start calling for me as soon as she realized she was alone. But I waited, and waited, and she never called. I could hear her taking the books off of my bookshelf (an activity she’s permitted to do when I’m supervising). Susie began to think she was on the boring side of the door, so she toddled over and knocked, hoping Becky would include her in the clandestine fun. Yet Becky stayed silent, probably hoping we would get the hint and leave her alone. I was rather flummoxed, because I wanted to teach Becky that she wasn’t allowed to close doors without my permission (I can see visions of slammed fingers and locked-out sisters). But then again, I’ve been trying to encourage the girls to be more independent in their playtime and not need me to be sitting with them every moment, which is our current status. I waited another minute while Susie impatiently knocked and whined at the door, and then decided Becky’s self-imposed isolation time was over. I opened the door and found her sitting contentedly, a half-dozen books spread around her. When she saw us, she hopped up and started whining, evidently annoyed at the interruption. I scolded her for closing the door on her own, had her clean up her mess, and then I herded them back downstairs.
Of course, it only took a few minutes of downstairs play before I was half-wishing I had just let Susie into my bedroom with her sister, closed the door on both of them and let them entertain themselves for a while. But I guess I ought to cherish this time when my girls want to spend time with me. Soon enough, they will be independent young ladies who will greet my appearance in their room with annoyance, and will be quick to close the door once I’m gone. Given today’s events, I think that time is closer than I was expecting!
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