Today

Today was notable not only because it was Indian Summer warm, but because I didn’t do any shouting. That’s been rare lately. Jake and I had a gorgeous afternoon in the marshes. I only raised my voice once, when he told me he’d done a poo but wouldn’t let me change him. I asked him a few times, he didn’t listen, I raised my voice in annoyance, he looked at me warily then deliberately went and stood in the furthest corner away from me. Of course he did. Why should he want to listen when I talk to him like that? It sounds obvious but I didn’t really get it till I saw the look on his face. It was so different from the rest of the day, which was full of laughter and cuddles and kisses.  Tone is everything.  Children hear it all.