Inside a Four Year-Old's Mind

Lately, hubby and I have noticed 2 distinct strands of behaviour after Beth knew she was going to have a sibling:

1. The forward-looking attitude

Beth is thrilled to stroke my belly, talk to her unborn sibling, imagine aloud all the things she and bb will do together and especially the things she will do for her di di/mei mei e.g. carry her, feed her, play with her. She is particularly tickled when we share stories of what she was like inside Mummy and how she behaved as an infant and then a toddler.

2. The regression into baby behaviour

Beth has become increasingly clingy, which we're told is normal when a new sibling's on the way. She demands that Daddy carry her everywhere, lapses into baby talk when interacting with us (she now calls me "Mum Mum" instead of "Mummy", in a cute, babyish tone), cries at the smallest imagined slight, and refuses to do the simplest things for herself.

Reflection
Actually, this isn't too far from how I behave with God. On good days, I am eager to please Him, to be a light to the world and to serve others by being helpful and kind. On bad days, I am a total child (not in the good sense!): throwing tantrums, sulking, in denial about my poor spiritual state, not wanting to face up to my sins. What a handful I must be!