Daddy told you that you had to sleep, and that you couldn’t watch clips in bed. You got really upset and told him that he annoyed you. After lots of arguments, you finally told daddy: “Daddy, you annoy me, but I still love you.”

I think what you said is a very complicated concept. I am happy that you have such deep understanding and so much love for your dad.

The following is our conversation this morning,as you were looking into my monitor, as I was doing the housework and watching Bloomberg news:

Deeba: Mommy, why are these stocks down?
Me: Because of the news. North Korea says they want to fight the United States.
Deeba: But United States will win. Because I am strong, and I am in the United States, so the United States is strong.
Me: So, you will fight?
Deeba: I will rip his belly.
Me: Actually, United States has the strongest army in the world.
Deeba: So, I will be safe in my cozy little apartment here.
—
Well, I think now you qualify for the job of press secretary in the White House! You know the language, and have the confidence!!!
And…
Rip his belly?!!! where did you learn this?!!!

In your music class they showed you how to hold a violin and play it. Your daddy recorded a short video and sent to me. That reminded me of my father. I cried a lot, and out of joy. Many of your interests and habits remind me of my dad. The main one, your obsession with water.

My father, your grandfather was a wonderful man, so honest, so caring, and with so much love for all human beings.

Sometimes I really wish he was still around. He passed away too soon. My mom’s life is much harder without him. I am sure my mom misses my dad a lot. I wish he lived long enough for you to get to know him, have his love, and learn from him. Well, he is really missed.

May his soul rest in peace.

You still cry in the morning, before going to preschool. You say that you miss me, and that is why you don’t want to go to school.

On Monday, I got really nervous and frustrated and yelled at you in the car. You couldn’t stop crying, and it got even worse. I just reminded to myself that you are just four and a half years old. I was immediately so mad at myself for what I did. I dropped you at school, and apologized for shouting.

I talked to your teacher at school, and she said that you might need more discipline at home, and less toys and treats.

I believe she had a point. For different reasons, I have given you toys and treats as a way of encouraging  you to do things. I guess we went a bit too far, and now you do things just because  you want a treat.

For example, I told you that you would have a prize after you finish level 2 swimming. You couldn’t finish level 2 swimming, and you started yelling at your teacher, and then at me.

So, I had a talk with you on Monday and told you that all kids go to school and all parents go to work. I told you that we cannot change anything about that, and I am really sorry that you get so upset in the mornings.

Now today, I had got you a couple of books, but you started screaming and said that you wanted toys.  I got the books and told you that I would return them. (I won’t. I will just leave them at your preschool for your teachers to read them to you). Then I told you that for a while you wouldn’t get any toys, and that you needed to enjoy the toys that you have already, and other activities. You had a very bad tantrum in the car and screamed and cried for half an hour! But after you ate your dinner at home and got full, you felt better. You hugged me, kissed me and apologized.

This melted my heart. I just love to get you toys every day. But from what I see, this is not good for you, unfortunately.

You are a doll, really adorable, and very smart.

You love to learn about space, stars and planets. You say that you want to become a scientist. In fact, you say that you are a scientist already.

On July 29th, we took you on Mount Hamilton to see stars. When we got to the observatory up there, they said that all tickets were sold out, and there were no tours available, and even if tickets were available, a child should be at least ten years old to look through the telescope.

I came back to you with the news, and told you that this place is for scientists and kids of ten years old or older. Your answer was: “they do not know that I am a scientist already.”