Notice - Assess - Act / Sometimes French Toast Is Not Enough

So it broke my heart yesterday morning when I served Ax his special breakfast of brioche French toast with syrup and he just looked at it rather than chowing down.

“What’s wrong baby?”  I asked.

“I don’t know I just don’t feel good,” he said.

“Like how not good?”

“I don’t know.  My tummy feels weird.”

“Is it a poop?”

“No.”

“Ok, well, is it okay if I just snuggle you a little?”

“Yes.”

And I snuggled him silently for maybe fifteen seconds, witnessed by the plate of tasty French toast.  And then he began to tear up.

“Yeah,” I said, and held him a little closer.  He snuggled in.

“Do you think maybe you are sad?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, eyes watery.

I waited a beat.  “Do you know why?” I asked, curious, gentle.  There were many reasons I could think of to be sad, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

“No,” he said. 

And we sat there, another long ten, maybe twenty seconds, breathing, silent.

“I miss my friends,” he said.

“Yeah,” I said, “Of course you do.  It’s just not the same on video.”

“No,” he said. “It’s not.”

“But video is all we have right now to stay safe.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to try a video play date again today even through it’s not as good as live, since it’s the only option we have right now?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, I’ll set that up.  I’m proud of you for noticing you don’t feel good and for being willing to try something to feel better.”

“Thanks,” he said, and then he unmuted his tv show and began tucking into the French toast.  

That afternoon we let him video chat with his buddy for hours, until he emerged, smiling.  “How was your play date?” I asked.  

“Good,” he said.

I’m gonna keep going.