mother may i

At three and a half, Gage asks either for help or permission to do just about everything.  Most of his requests involve food ("Mommy, can I have some water/milk/juice, a snack, dessert if I eat all my dinner, a bite of your dinner," etc) or play ("Mommy, can you play with me, can I go outside, play with my insert name of toy here, watch a movie," etc).  Even with things he is capable of doing himself, he usually announces his intention to do them before he acts (my personal favorite..."Mommy, I'm going to go pee/poop").  I'll admit that fielding and fulfilling all these requests can be exhausting, and sometimes I long for the day when he is able to meet all (or at least most) of his needs himself, without having to ask for help.  But at other times I am overwhelmed with love and tenderness when I realize how much he needs me and depends on me to take care of him and to keep him safe and happy.  So much of his life is dictated by how I respond to all his various requests.  And I know someday I will long for the time when he included me in every decision and shared every thought with me without hesitation...even if it is just a decision to use the bathroom!