The fierce one

The other day I found DD crouching inside her cupboard, tears streaming down her small cheeks. I carried her out and consoled her. After she had calmed down, I asked her why she was so upset. Apparently DH had scolded her for playing inside the cupboard in the first place.

The protective mother hen in me almost reared her ugly head. But I decided to calm down and think about how best to handle the situation. I pondered about it for a while, and then I approached DH who was happily playing a game on his PS2.

I calmly told DH that he sounded fierce when he scolded DD. I added that because he was a man, the impact of his voice might have been greater than he intended.

He was silent for a while. And then he calmly told me that I sounded fiercer than him, and not because I was a woman.

We argued as to who was fiercer, and all the while, DD was watching us intently. Finally I decided to consult DD. Afterall, she was at the receiving end of our fierceness, so I thought she would know better.

Imagine my surprise when she said that I was the fierce one. Aiyo, this cannot be true. I was not in any way satisfied with her answer, so I asked, “How come you never cry when I scold you? How come you always answer me back?”

She was quiet for a split second, and then the answer came, “Because I was too scared to cry.” Aiyoyo.

I was speechless. Then DH, with a smug look on his face, decided to chip in, “She responds differently to us. With you, she’ll answer you back. With me, she’ll cry.”

I could have extended that observation as to why she gives different responses to us, but I decided to let it go.

And then a few nights ago, DH said to me that DD takut (is scared) of him, so she always listens to him.

I just smiled. I rest my case.

Note: I used to be a lioness with DD. I’m trying my best to change for the better and I would like to think that I’m half way there.