Imaginary Friend

Matt has an imaginary friend. This friend goes by two names: Matt and Matty. Matt makes sure that we include his imaginary friend in the important things in life like meals, bath, kissing time, and bedtime reading.

Imaginary Matty is younger than Matt, so Matt has to help him remember to brush his teeth, wash his hands -- with soap, get dressed. Matt is a really big helper for Imaginary Matty.

Matt is also helping Imaginary Matty with speech. He holds up a cup, models the word for Imaginary Matty, listens to Imaginary Matty say the word and then praises Imaginary Matty on his attempt.

Imaginary Matty is also afraid of a number of things: loud noises, the dark, and some of Matt's television shows and movies. Matt makes sure that we all comfort Imaginary Matty when he is frightened.

Matt does have to report on Imaginary Matty's repeated bad behavior. Imaginary Matty has hit Matt, ran away when told to come in, splashed water out of the tube, and kicked Matt. I have had to reprimand Imaginary Matty for his bad behavior and put him in time out. Matt does tell me that Imaginary Matty is sorry and that he promises not to do the bad behavior anymore.

Imaginary Matt seems to be older than Imaginary Matty, so Imaginary Matt gets to go on more adventures than Imaginary Matty. Big stuff: like Legoland and school. Imaginary Matt is not frightened by Matt's television shows and movies.

Like Imaginary Matty, Imaginary Matt has been known to misbehave. He has refused to do his homework. He has been defiant. He has yelled at and thrown things at Matt. Like Imaginary Matty, I have had to put Imaginary Matt in time out and explained to him why he is in trouble. And sometimes this misbehavior is bad enough so that he is in BIG trouble and he can't watch television nor play Wii nor computer games.

Imaginary Matt is always sorry for him misbehavior and always promises to not do any of it again.

I look forward each day to the adventure that Matt has had with Imaginary Matty and Imaginary Matt. Who knows what they did today?

Mr. Fix It

At 5:45 this morning my son came into my room and announced that he was wet, cold and wanted to cuddle.

Attempting to hold on to the wisps of sleep that still entangled me, I told him to strip, go to the bathroom and then come and cuddle.

As he started to walk out of the bathroom, I could hear the toilet still running. Knowing that the sound would keep me from sleep, I asked him to jiggle the handle.

"Okay, Mommy! I fix," he said as he went back into the bathroom. I could feel the pull of sleep dragging me to slumber land.

Upon hearing the top lifted from the toilet tank, I bound from bed. I dashed into the bathroom to seeing my son holding a piece of the toilet in his hand and water spraying against the wall. He held his empty hand out towards me, to stop me from coming closer.

"No, Mommy. I help. I fix."

I gently removed the piece from his hand and place it on the counter and moved him away from the toilet.

As I turned the water off, I told him, "I know you want to help. But I think we'll get our plumber. Okay?"

He sighed and nodded.

As I cuddled my sleeping child (thankfully the adventure didn't keep him from sleeping a bit longer before school), I thought that I had best enlist the help of my handy friends and family to teach him how to fix things since he is determined to help.

I am sure we will encounter a great number of other misadventures on his path to becoming a true Mr. Fix It!