Working Model

For the last 11 years, I have spent my working life evaluating families and trying to understand the complexities of the parent child relationship. One of the procedures that we do at our clinic to help us understand these relationships a little better is called the Working Model of the Child Interview. I just did one with a mom this afternoon that made me think of what I would say about Emmy. One part of the interview involves picking 5 words to describe your child's personality. Another part has the parent select 5 words to describe the relationship. These likely change all the time. Here are mine, right now, about my little 14 month old darling:

Personality:

1. Big- as in you have a big personality for such a tiny girl and you are already a force to be reckoned with; you also think you are so big already and can do things on your own (you will be getting your own apartment next week)
2. Fun- you love to have fun and you make everyone around you have fun; you have a very playful nature
3. Busy- you give your old Mom and Dad a good run for their money! you are definitely on the active end of the spectrum and you get the most out of every moment
4. Curious- you are so smart, curious and interested in everything; like your father, you want to know what everything is and how it works; you are fairly patient in your attempts to figure things out for being such a little one
5. Free spirited- you laugh like a hyena and as your Tiny Tots teacher says, you really like to "shake your stuff!" You will get up and dance in front of a crowd or just to yourself and sometimes the music is only in your head!

Honorable mentions: intense, joyful, beautiful, loving, nature lover, animal lover, feisty, smart, confident, generally awesome:)

Relationship:

1. Bliss- our relationship is characterized by such happiness right now with the hard times being so small
2. Entertaining- I think we both entertain each other quite well! It could just be me and you in a room and we would find ways to have fun and laugh for quite a while!
3. Loving or affectionate- I kiss you so much that you probably think I am trying to eat you and you give wonderful hugs, kisses that often resemble nibbles, and snuggle like none other!
4. Constant-we are together a lot and you definitely are my girl. This mother-daughter thing is 24-7 and I wouldn't have it any other way.
5. Intense- the mother daughter bond is everything they say, with intensity being a 10 out of 10! (or as they say in Spinal Tap, "these ones here go to 11!"). What a close and wonderful relationship- I'm so glad I get to experience it, especially with you.