We were sitting at the dinner table, and I was telling Rom about this post by MommaZen.
[Please read the post (it's good!), but I will summarize here for the point of my story.]
MommaZen’s daughter, Georgia, is on a quest to become friends with Malia Obama so that one day Malia will invite her to visit the White House.
While helping Georgia practice for a play she is in, MommaZen, in an attempt to arouse Georgia’s enthusiasm, exhorts her to say her lines with the kind of feeling she has for Malia.
And Georgia asks, “You mean, like I’m jealous?”
Rom laughed at the punchline, at the pure honesty of expression, and then Orlando surprised us with precise personal insight, a la Georgia, by saying, “First it was just me. I was the only one, and then Mica was born.”
I wasn’t sure Orlando even knew the word jealous, but it’s clear he certainly understands the feeling.
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One thing I love observing in my kids is the way they can have feelings like jealousy or anger towards each other and accept it as part of their many feelings toward their sibling…there isn’t our adult classification of “good” and “bad” feelings…they seem to be able to move from adoration to excruciating frustration right back to love, and do it so seamlessly.
You’re right — it reminds me of this post I wrote a few months ago. I’d forgotten about it until your comment!
I love you. Now go away.
We just went to meet a friend’s new baby in the hospital last week. Aviva (who is six) seemed pretty awe-stricken at the sight of her tiny fingernails, etc. Her report later? “I was jealous, because I wanted the chocolate pudding.”
I’m jealous too, come to think of it. I want the chocolate pudding and the fashion stylist and the cover of Vanity Fair. Guess I’ll just have to settle for the underwear in the drawer.
Iris confessed to me yesterday that she is having major jealousy issues “all the time.” Not just towards her sister.
I’m reminded of Velma’s line from months ago, “Mommy, she’s my sister but she annoys me.”
lol, yes, I’m with Barbara. Kids seem to be able to feel the ‘bad’ feelings and get on with it. It’s us adults that want to psycho-analyze it all.