Levi had a lesson in empathy last night. He's been nomming on Burberry's nose again. Earlier in the evening I told him if I caught him chewing on Burberry again, I'd have to take Burberry away and he wouldn't be able to go to bed with him.
Bedtime arrived and we were reading stories in bed. He started to nom on his nose. I made a big deal that Burberry was Crying because his Nose Hurt and it made him Sad. I took Burberry away, hugging him close and talking to him as if I was consoling him: "I know it Hurts. I'm so Sorry, but Levi doesn't understand that he is making you Sad by Hurting his Nose." I then put Burberry on a high shelf and said, "Burberry doesn't want to sleep with you tonight. He Hurts."
Well, that really did it. Levi started wailing, and crocodile tears trickled out. He stretched out his arms, shouting, "Burbreeee! Burbreeee! In! In!" I said, "You want Burberry to Sleep with you, Tucked In with your Blanket?" He hiccuped and nodded. I asked if he could be Nice and Gentle to Burberry and not bite his Nose because it Hurts. He stretched out his arms again so I gave him Burberry.
He hugged him, gentle touched his head and then pointed to Burberry's nose. "Hurt." Pointed to his own eyes, "Sad." Lying down, Burberry tight in his arms, "Bed."
I'm by no means under an illusion that "that's that" and the problem is resolved. But I think, hope, it'll be easier to remind him in the future how serious the infraction is. Empathy sure is a hard lesson.
