First Words

By adminmph | June 24, 2011 |

If you have a kid who is just learning to talk and you’re pushing for the kid to learn the word “Mama” or “Daddy,” stop what you’re doing and read my words first.

Forget “Mama” and “Daddy.” Your kid will learn those words soon enough and after they say it 50 times in a row (in one day) you’ll wish they had learned a different word instead. You will wish they had learned a word like this word:

HELP.

You’re skeptical, I know. That’s OK. I anticipated that.

“Help” as a first word is, admittedly, a little untraditional–but trust me–it’s a good one. I have found the word “Help” to be quite accomodating in many situations. It also, in many instances, cuts down on frustration level and tantrum frequency.

Allow me to introduce the following examples:

Exhibit A

An upside down jacket on any given day could potentially send many kids over the edge. Can’t you just picture your kid totally freaking out, screaming and yelling in frustration at the discomfort and awkwardness of it all while simultaneously turning around in circles like a dog chasing its tail?

…Not if they know the word “Help.”

Exhibit B

Big sister is strangling little sister. When doesn’t this happen? It could be a major problem in many households, but not mine because my kid managed to squeak out the word “Help” in between gasps of air.

Exhibit C

Kid playing with underwear. We all know what she’s thinking: I love myself some underwear, but what the hell are THESE supposed to be? There’s no back door on these undies! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with these. “Help…!?!”

Exhibit D