tiffanynecklaces221

A co-worker once said to me, after I Fairy Godmother Charm recounted a day spent at Millennium Park with my then 2-year-old daughter, "You know she's not going to remember any of this, right?"Never mind that 90 percent of a person's brain develops in the first 5 years of life. Never mind that nothing brings you more joy than time spent walking hand-in-hand with this kid. Never mind that, actually, she just might remember it. I can make a Reindeer Charm alfredo that's only about 100 calories through the magic of tofu shirataki noodles and low-fat cheese wedges.

The fact is a 2-year-old is a person. Not just a future architect or future hair stylist or future humanitarian aid worker. A Classic Smiley Charm , breathing, imagining, feeling little soul whom you've been entrusted to nurture. Not exploit, not belittle, not profit from.

We often turn to a line from "Horton Hears a Who!" when we're reminding our now-5-year-old to take it easy on her younger brother. "A person's a person, no Classic Frown Charm how small," we recite in our more patient moments. ("Stop. Stop. Stop!" in our less patient ones.)I'm not sure where Dr. Seuss fits on the Chua family list of recommended reading. I'm guessing not high. But his simple admonishment is one we would all do well to remember.