EJ is really trying to learn to talk. During snack time today he put aside his usual syllable babble da-da-da-da, and tried instead an interjectory da-da! Having gotten Dad's full attention, EJ had used his outdoor voice after all, he then waited and studied Dad's face for a response.
Dad looked at his son expecting to exchange a quick smile and to see EJ demure as is his pattern, but got a little creeped out when his smile was met with a laser like stare in response.
There was no warmth, no emotion at all, just cold eyes fixed on Dad's face, acutely observing his reaction which, for the briefest of moments, bordered on terror.
Dad felt that the da-da was an accusation made by a confident prosecutor having built a solid case against a defendant.
Dad, disconcerted, broke the gaze and turned aside going back to preparing snacks, when EJ again shouted da-da! Dad again looked at EJ, this time offering no smile.
He stared. EJ stared back. Microseconds that felt like minutes passed.
Dad's mind raced through scenarios searching for an appropriate rebuttal, most of which you have seen before in psycho-thriller movies. He finally settled on one. He nervously offered his son an oat puff. Suddenly EJ was his normal self again and now focused on the joy of eating.
Dad felt relieved, odd since he had done nothing wrong, been accused of nothing, but had only come under the curious gaze of his son.
Dad later figured out what it was that unnerved him. It was the realization that the Twins were entering a new phase of development where they would soon be more than just observing and learning the New Parent's behaviors, but they would also soon be mimicking them. EJ's newest attempt at puzzling out language made Dad keenly aware that son was becoming aware, aware enough that Dad had to consider his own role modeling the Twins would soon be emulating the worst if not best of .
All of them. Including Dad's favorite abuse of language, one he seems to favor when he encounters unexpected frustration.
That is terrifying.
Why Dad felt accused of modeling poo
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