There Are No Monsters in This World

There Are No Monsters in This World

“There are no monsters in this world.” During one of Yuanyuan’s bedtime “chat” rituals with Mom, she suddenly said this, then added very seriously: “Daddy said so.” Daddy never imagined that something he had said would be quoted back like this—after all, you’re still a little child not yet two years old. It made me feel both happy and a little awed. Happy, because words I said could stay in your heart like a reassurance; awed, because it means I need to be even more careful with what I say and do, and be a better example for you.

I had said, “There are no monsters in this world,” to comfort Yuanyuan after she watched the nursery rhyme White Dragon Horse and kept saying she was “afraid of monsters.” I never expected her to remember those words and use them to comfort herself. Sometimes when she feels scared, she even encourages herself by saying, “Daddy will protect Yuanyuan,” and “Mommy will protect Yuanyuan.” You’re right—Daddy and Mommy will use all our strength to protect you.

Although Yuanyuan is not yet two, there are already times when I feel I need to learn from her—to learn from the natural appreciation and care for others that springs from her little heart. One night after 9 p.m., when it was already time for Yuanyuan to go to sleep, she didn’t want to sleep and asked Grandma Ma to make a baby shark out of modeling clay. Grandma Ma said it was late and that they could make it tomorrow. Yuanyuan didn’t fuss or cry. Instead, she said, “Grandma Ma, your hands are so skillful.” Caught off guard by the sudden praise, Grandma Ma happily stayed and finished making the baby shark with her before going to bed.

Another day, Daddy and Yuanyuan had been playing in the yard for a while. I was planning to go get a haircut and let Yuanyuan play with Mommy and Grandma for a bit. Just then, a car was coming from a distance, and Yuanyuan said to me, “Daddy, watch out for the car.” I felt deeply touched. The haircut could wait; I could go after I finished playing with Yuanyuan.

Beyond these moments, Yuanyuan’s gifts for language and learning shine through from time to time. She says thank you to people who help her by opening doors. She reminds the people around her to stay safe. At crosswalks, she recites softly, “Red means stop, green means go, and when you see yellow, wait a while.” Much of this is thanks to Mommy’s patient teaching and Yuanyuan’s natural love of learning. When Mommy tells stories, Yuanyuan always sits in her lap and listens with complete attention, sometimes even offering her own comments. She remembers the contents of many books she has read. There is one book, Alfie Is Not a Little One, and just by looking at the cover, Yuanyuan will say, “The kitten didn’t come out, the cat mommy didn’t come out, Alfie can rescue them.” That is more or less the story.

Recently, Yuanyuan’s favorite songs are “Baby Shark” and “The Wheels on the Bus,” both of which she can sing all the way through by herself. Other songs she can sing include “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and the ABC song. She can probably sing “Apple Red” too. There are other nursery rhymes she hasn’t sung yet while talking to herself, but I’m sure there are quite a few hidden away in her little head. Among the songs Mommy plays for her on repeat from Ivy Kids, Yuanyuan is probably familiar with a good many of them.

Besides language, Yuanyuan is doing wonderfully in physical activity too. Apart from not yet mastering jumping with both feet together, she has no problem with most ordinary physical skills. Recently she has especially loved her scooter. It took her about three afternoons to go from unfamiliarity to confidence with it, and now she can skillfully chase Grandpa all around on it.

Lately, Yuanyuan has also been fond of little bean candies, and she likes watching cartoons while eating. Her favorites include Super Wings, Thomas & Friends, and Teletubbies. This worries Daddy and Mommy a little—mostly because we’re concerned about her teeth, her eyes, and the development of her attention span. In addition to controlling the overall amount, Mommy helps Yuanyuan brush her teeth every day, and we’ve also tried using a projector instead of a phone screen to reduce screen exposure. Still, we hope even more that through games and play, we can lessen the influence of candy and television. We will keep trying to become better parents.