Little Orphan Smava

Ava does not like to go to bed. She often...check that...always gets up and attempts to sneak back upstairs after being put down for the night. This is on top of her disdain for obedience. It seems that Ava looks at listening to her parents as a sign of weakness. I kind of respect that, but won't tolerate it at this point in her life.

After a frustrating weekend, I went to the extreme. Surely, many a parent has threatened to send their kid away if they didn't behave. Perhaps I would have too had I thought my daughter would have understood. Instead I told her a story about a little girl named, "Smava." Clearly, this tale was being pulled from thin air. It kind of when like this for few minutes...

Dad: Once upon a time there was a little girl named, Smava.
Ava: My name is Ava
Dad: Yes, but this little girl is Smava
A: I’m Ava
Dad: I know. This is about Smava
A: I AM AVA!
Dad: Moving on.

Smava's parents were having a hard time getting her to be a good little girl. One day, they told her that they'd be visiting an orphanage. About this time, the story became quite detailed. Point being, my girl would now easily comprehend Dickens' "Oliver Twist," the musical "Annie" and relate to Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life."

But here is where the story made a sharp turn. Smava took it upon herself to assume she was the reason for the family visit to the state-run home for naughty children. Ava's rare razor sharp focus made it clear that she did the same. Well, as it turned out, Smava's mommy & daddy had no intention of ditching their daughter. They were there to bring home new little brother or sister.

Whether they had given up on their own genetic make-up, or trusted the stereotypical tough-love approach of an orphanage to better raise a child, is for you to decide. The point was clearly made to both little girls. I don't know about Smava, but the inspiration for her character went right to sleep shortly after the story.