September 18, 2003

Speaking of Silliness...

My daughter is silliness incarnate. No matter where we are or what we're doing, there is usually a grin spread wide across her face and we know a giggle is not far behind. Her mind is always working, naturally searching for the silliness in every situation.

Because of this, we have always freely acknowledged that Jenna loves life. There is little that can squelch her joyfulness on any given day--short of a lack of sleep or being scolded or disciplined! Those events will send her silliness packing, leaving a stark silence, a stoic wall where the giggles once ruled. (It's not pretty!)

But, that's our Jenna. Full of laughter. Full of humor. Full of life. No matter what the emotion, it's usually a strong one when it comes to her!

It's because of this intense emotion--whether the emotion of silliness or stoic silence--that we must guide Jenna with both sensitivity and consistency. It never fails that just at the crescendo of a story we're reading aloud, or in the most crucial element of a lesson, Jenna will interject some silliness. While she has learned that this action will always lead to some sort of discipline, she is not in the least deterred--at least at this stage of her youth. The goal is to calmly identify the behavior, implement immediate discipline (making sure the punishment fits the crime, so-to-speak!), then continue with the lesson. There will always be time later on to laugh about whatever it was she interjected, but there and then is neither the time nor the place! I am also quick to instruct Zach not to encourage her by laughing with her or at her--which is usually not a problem. It's Dad we have to watch out for in this respect! (Hmmm.... Could that be where she inherited her silly gene...?)

Anyway, as time goes on, as we deal sensitively and consistently with Jenna's silliness, I hope and pray she will learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate moments during which to share her silliness. I often tell her how happy I am she is such a joyful child, but I am also quick to remind her there are times when it is just not the right choice to make. And I have no doubt that someday she will be a woman who brings much joy to those in her sphere of influence with well-timed silliness!

Note: Sometimes it's in everyone's best interest during our study time to take a "silliness break." A short round of Follow the Leader or seeing who can make the silliest face or some-such diversion does wonders for getting some of the excessive silliness out of our systems. Then we're able to move on to our more serious subjects in a more serious manner.