During tonight's bedtime routine I found myself in the middle of a rather interesting lesson. Turns out Natalie has been inventing terms that relate to Amelia's reactions to Natalie's behavior.
N: Dad, did you know that Amelia is innertatient?
Me: No, Natalie, what does innertatient mean?
N: [sitting up in bed and looking at Amelia across the room] Innertatient is when someone says you are rude.
A: I am not rude.
N: I did not say you were rude. I was SAYING you CALLED me rude.
A: [sitting up in bed crying] Dad, tell her to stop calling me names.
Me: No, Natalie, what does innertatient mean?
N: [sitting up in bed and looking at Amelia across the room] Innertatient is when someone says you are rude.
A: I am not rude.
N: I did not say you were rude. I was SAYING you CALLED me rude.
A: [sitting up in bed crying] Dad, tell her to stop calling me names.
Me: Natalie, please don't call your sister names.
N: Not even aggletic?
Me: What does aggletic mean? Do you mean athletic? You mean Amelia is good at sports?
N: No, aggletic.
Me: What does aggletic mean?
N: Aggletic is the person who just called me rude.
A: [seriously fuming mad now] Dad, GET HER TO STOP!!
Me: Natalie, it is not nice to call people names. Please stop.
N: [bubbly] Ok.
Me: What does aggletic mean? Do you mean athletic? You mean Amelia is good at sports?
N: No, aggletic.
Me: What does aggletic mean?
N: Aggletic is the person who just called me rude.
A: [seriously fuming mad now] Dad, GET HER TO STOP!!
Me: Natalie, it is not nice to call people names. Please stop.
N: [bubbly] Ok.
Although we stress that name calling is not allowed, I can't help but be a little proud that Natalie invented, defined and committed these terms to memory all by herself.
