Expecting a Higher Standard (31 for 21)

A couple of months ago, my husband came home and said he had a teacher in our school district volunteer to have Hailey in his class when she gets that age.  He said he would be happy to have her if we wanted to speak with the principal and request him.  He stated that he would not let her get away with anything and he would expect her to participate and be a productive memeber of class.  I started to cry.  First off, to have a teacher come forward like that is very reassuring to this mama bear.   Not all teachers want to deal with IEPs and the challenges that might or might not come with Hailey.  I also loved hearing that he would hold her to a certain standard, that he wouldn't let her con him.  It is fear of mine.

My daughter gets more attention than the boys every did.  Everywhere we go, people go out of their way to speak to her.  On an average outing, she gets told no less than 5 times how beautiful she is.  They speak to her, play with her, wave at her, fist bump her and 100% engage with her.  Employees give her things (stuffed animals, free ice cream cones, stickers).  I worry sometimes that it is too much attention.  Don't get me wrong.  I love how much people enjoy Hailey.  Love her smiles.  Love her shaking their hands in church and saying "Eace" (instead of peace).  Yes, I love and am grateful that 99% of the attention is positive!  I just worry that her "cuteness" is going to lead her to too many "get out of jail free cards".  I'm afraid that people won't hold her to that higher standard because she is "so cute" or they don't think she is capable of learning a lesson or the difference between right and wrong.

I've seen glimmers of it already.  If she misbehaves in church, I get the "oh, but she is so cute".  Not, oh, she's two.  I've watched her hug someone or flash a smile to get out of trouble.  She is smart enough to figure this out...even at 2.  I just hope that not everyone falls for our little con artist in the making.  We have expectations of her and are holding her to a higher level than I ever thought I would.  I hope that others follow suit.

While people think it is cute now and it is socially acceptable.  However, as an older child or an adult, those behaviors will not be acceptable or tolerated.  I want people to expect more from her.  I truly believe that she will rise to higher expectations.  I just hope that others will agree with me along the way!!

She thought she was cute stealing the ipad while I made her lunch.

 Hailey has a new bedtime and nap time ritual.  She asks for all of these stuffed animals.  She chats with them for awhile and then plucks them one by one out of her crib :-)

We have a new love for purses.  She carries one around the house all the time.

Purses are great to carry Little People

The Minnie one holds a LOT more :-)

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