Empathy

Are people born with empathy or is it something you learn?  I know that some people are more empathetic than others but I don't know where the empathy comes from.

People who get teary eyed from commercials I think, are very empathetic people.  A 30 second glimpse into some strangers life on a commercial can make them cry.  That has to be because they can quickly understand how that person (or animal) must be feeling.

I think if you are born with empathy levels then Big was born with high levels of it.  Tonight Big C was able to go buy another movie for another successful day of falling asleep by herself with no tears or help from Mama or Papa.  She picked out the 2nd Tinker Bell movie.  After Baby C had gone to bed and Papa D had left to play bedmitton we snuggled up together and watched the movie.  There is one scene when Tinker Bell cries because she misses her friends.  Big C looks over at me and with the biggest tears and lips stuck out far she says in her sad voice "I'm sad Mama, Tinker Bell is crying.  Tinker Bell is sad.  Why is she sad".  I almost cried myself from Big C's face and tears.  I explained to her what was wrong until she understood and said "Tinker Bell just go find your friends, ok, and then you will be happy".

That is empathy.  I think if we all thought a little more about other people and how they feel our world may have fewer tears and more smiles.

I have new pictures to post but I left the camera in the car so they will have to wait for another day.

Big C Sleeping

For 31 months we have been trying to help Big C to learn how to sleep.  If any of you out there have had children that have a hard time sleeping then you will understand that this has been a learning process for us as parents as well as for Big C as a sleeper.

Big C naps every afternoon for 1 1/2 -2 hours.  This is very nice for Mama K.  Getting her to sleep for nap is what our struggle is with the nap situation.  For months we have laid down with her and patted her bum until she was asleep.  One thing that had to change when Baby C came was the bum patting.  There is just no way for me to do that on most days now.  So with the help of Dora videos Big C has been slowly learning to take naps by herself with zero tears.

Big C excited for nap in her new Dora pajamas! 

Today was one of our successful days.  Memaw sent Big C some very cool Dora pjs which Big C just had to wear for nap!  She was very eager to go take a nap in her new Dora pjs.

After this photo session, Big C decided to read some books to herself to help her settle down.  She had been very quiet for thirty minutes and I was just sure she was up to something.  I was wrong; this is how I found  her:

Big C fell asleep reading her book

Thank you Memaw for giving us more then Dora pajamas; you gave us a peaceful afternoon!  Now Big C is off on a date with Papa to celebrate her being such a big girl.  They are buying a new Dora movie and yes, Big C is still in those Dora pajamas!