FACT: Our "village" includes an animated character.....

Ever since Netflix came to Kuwait, we've been introduced to a new variety of children's shows.  Shows like Ben and Holly, Bo on the Go, Max and Ruby and Daniel Tiger have become BIG NAME ACTS in our television repertoire.  In fact, some of them (well, ONE OF THEM) is an honest-to-goodness item in our ever-growing "parenting toolbox." 

Not kidding, you guys.

Daniel Tiger is FOR REAL.

The thing is, Daniel Tiger is not just a show.  He's some sort of THREENAGER-WHISPERER that turns every single parenting dilemma that you could possibly think of into a song.  A song that your child loves.  AND believes in.  And I know it sounds freaky, but I PROMISE, PROMISE it's true.

Evidence #1:  Stopping play to go potty

It's every child's nightmare.  One minute you're happily playing toys, and the next your Mom or Dad is dragging you to the potty because you're doing the pee-pee dance.  There's kicking and screaming and it's a big, painful ordeal that leaves everyone annoyed and stressed out. 

Until you learn about Daniel Tiger.

Because there's a song about that:

When you have to go potty
Stop
And go right away
Flush and wash and be on your way

All we have to do is sing the song and Nory goes off to do "all the steps!"  It's . like . MAGIC.

Evidence #2:  Leaving the house without the kids

Kids love to make it seem like you're really, truly abandoning them, don't they?  At least ours do.  It breaks my heart and I always have to wait outside the door until I hear them stop whining and crying.  This allows me to move from HOME MODE to WHEREVER WE ARE GOING MODE, knowing the waterworks are over and everything will be fine. 

But then we learned about Daniel Tiger.  And there's a song for this scenario too.....

Grown-ups come back to you
Grown-ups come back they do
Grown-ups come back

So now, we sing the song and Nory stays calm and tells Juliet, "grown-ups come back, Jettie!"  Our departures have become much, much SMOOTHER.

Evidence #3:  When something goes wrong

There are times when the Nornado comes out and absolutely everything upsets her.  Her milk isn't in the right cup.  Her dress doesn't match her lips (don't ask).  The table has a speck of dirt on it.  It's one thing after another that makes our chance of survival seem rather bleak. 

But, being the threenager-whisperer that he is, Daniel Tiger made a song for this situation too!

When something seems bad
Turn it around
And find something good

Not only does it work with Nory, but she uses it AGAINST US whenever we're frustrated or grouchy.  It's hysterical. 

To summarize the evidence I've presented in this morning's post:

"Tell me everything, Daniel...."

So now you know that we don't just have a nanny.  We also have a big cat helping us to raise our children.  Haaaaaaaa.  It takes a village, you guys.  And we've now introduced an animated character into the line-up :)

WE LOVE YOU, DANIEL TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!!