Friday, April 16, 2010

Pointing Fingers

Fatherhood Friday at Dad BlogsThe little man is learning new tricks everyday at daycare. Last week he came home pointing at everything. And he hasn't stopped. He points, lets out a little "Dat?" and then repeats. And repeats. And repeats. I'm trying my best to keep up with him, but it has become as incessant as a jackhammer.

Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat? Dat?

The daycare staff have even commented on it and, when I drop him off, he puts them to work too. For some of the things he points out I can't really answer his question: I'm too slow, can't find the word or just don't know. Then he busts out the double finger point. Both arms in different directions, doubletiming the DatDatDatDatDat, it's tiring, but it is very cute and I love that he is so curious (at least at this age).

The usual response in other adults is the obligatory "ooohhh" or "how cute" (it really is), until last week when we were out for walk. There he was, in his stroller, both arms extended, datdatdatdat issueing from his mouth, eyebrow arched in concentration when an older lady approached. I usually have some banal line at the ready to greet comments on his cuteness/adorableness/general babyness, but this one caught me napping. The woman proceeded to tell my one year old son that it was quite rude to point, especially at people, and then marched off. I was left on the sidewalk in stunned silence.

Now if she had heard what I said to the little man as she walked away, that was genuinely rude.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

That's funny! That woman must have been from the OOOOLD School. I was told that when I was younger. Now that I'm older, I don't see what the big deal is. But even if it's rude, how else does a baby communicate when it can't speak the language? Imagine how tough that would be if the child had to do dat without pointing. You would NEVER know what they wanted (until they were old enough to talk).

Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

What a crabby, nasty old woman! I love this stage, when everything is new to them. Sometimes they point out things that are new to us too.