Sometimes, I Forget To Do This More Often

My Mom ran a professional in-home Day Care/Preschool for over 20 years. She also has her bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development. Throughout her Day Care/Preschool and college adventures, I learned quite a bit. So much, that I was hired as a lead preschool teacher in my early 30's. One of the biggest lessons I embedded in my brain, early on, and one I've carried with me throughout the years, was the rule of height.

I can remember, more times than I care to admit, my Mom reminding me to either squat or sit when in the presence of young children.

"Adults are gigantic to small children. They're always looking up. Bring yourself to their level."

She was right. Small children are always looking up. To a 3 year old child, I'm huge. Intimidating. Their interaction and demeanor with me when I'm standing will be completely different if I get down to their eye level.

It's true. Try it.

The same holds true for our furry kids. When I walk through a room and interact with them, they're always looking up. They jump up, tails wagging, and perch themselves on my legs. They bark and have other ways of getting my attention.

When I sit on the floor, their entire demeanor changes. All 4 kids will rush over to me. I'm at their level. They're more playful. Interactive. They initiate play and games of fetch. If I lay on my tummy, they jump on me. Slather my face with juicy kisses. Rub their faces against mine. They almost act as if they haven't seen me in weeks.

I'll be the first to admit, I sometimes forget to do this more often. I need to be more aware of that. Like with human kids, our furry kids need that on-the-same-height-level time.

As Edward Hoagland more accurately states, "In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try and train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming party a dog."

I need to keep this in mind at all times.

We do.

You do.

It makes a difference. It changes things. It strengthens the bond.

And, it's common ground that us Dog Moms share with Moms of human children.