Lost in Translation

Imagine you're a part of a full-immersion language learning experience. You arrive in a country foreign to you. Everyone there speaks another language and no one else speaks yours. There's cryptic messages written everywhere and everyone around you not only can read them, but it seems they contain vital information that you're missing out on. You've got some trusted companions who seem to be on your side. You can tell they really do care about you and want to help you learn the language and the customs- but sometimes when you do or say something that isn't quite right, even they laugh at you. Oh, and did I mention that everyone else there is ginormous? That's right- not only do they know more than you, they're a whole lot bigger. This is scary, and frustrating, since they seem to really be able to push you around. In fact, they pretty much dictate everything you do- when you eat and sleep, what you wear, where you go and how you get there. It seems like most of the time they just do what they want and drag you around with them- even though you try desperately to tell them what you want to do. Like it or not you follow them anyway, since you depend on them for everything.

Doesn't that sound terrible??

This, essentially, is the life of my toddler. Occasionally, when she's having a bad day, I'm inclined to remind myself of this and give a kid a break. Whew- if I were going though what she is, I'd want a hug too.