Photo by Eric Fleming
The following is a guest post by Kimberly of The Simple Life.
"Uh-oh!" - Consider, for a moment, the power of these two little syllables.
So simple a toddler can master them, so powerful that they can stop the action, make us take notice, and give us something to talk about.
“Uh-oh!” rings out from every corner of our house throughout the day.
Our 21-month-old twins say it when they drop their sippy cups or spill their cereal. The five-year-old big sister says it when she sees one of her siblings grabbing the freshly baked cake on the counter.
Mommy is learning to say it when other phrases might come more readily to mind.
“Uh-oh” translates to: Stop what you’re doing, look to see what’s wrong, get help if you need to, work on making it better. That’s a lot of power for two little vowel sounds!
I’m learning to listen to it more as a signal that my children need my assistance: to clean a spill, to avert a disaster, or to get something that is out of reach.
If I hear and respond to the “uh-oh” early it reduces frustration and helps everyone stay a little calmer.
I’m using it more myself these days:
• When things get messy: “Uh-oh” draws attention to the fact that certain messes are not okay, that we need to stop and clean up.
Photo by Nathan Jones
• When someone is hurt: “Uh-oh” falls right in between “You’re okay, let’s brush you off,” and “Where’s the first aid kit?” It gives me time to assess whether it’s a kiss-it-all-better boo-boo or more.
• When tensions rise: “Uh-oh” calls for a pause in the squabbling and provides space for me to assist negotiations, and remind everyone of the ground rules.
• When expectations aren’t met: “Uh-oh” avoids over-reminding and nagging about chores that need to be done, but makes it clear that something is amiss and needs to be corrected.
• When I mess up: “Uh-oh” can also mean that I’m the one who let everyone down by not staying calm or not remembering that I need to follow the ground rules, too.
I’m learning that it can be a good first step to admitting my own mistakes and modeling the desire to make it better.
Have you experienced the power of "uh-oh?" Please share some of your uh-oh moments with us.
***Kimberly is the mother of a five-year-old and 21-month-old twins. She blogs at The Simple Life, where she explores the intersection of faith and special needs parenting.***
