There’s no denying that raising children is hard work and at the age Ben and Jessica are, sometimes it feels like a willpower war of attrition. Just occasionally though, you get a glimpse of your hard work paying off.
Over Easter Louise made chocolate nest cakes which we took round to the family on Easter Sunday. She kept four back for us to have for our tea, each with a different coloured chocolate egg on top.
When it came to eat them, Jessica picked the pink egged cake. Ben immediately kicked off, crying that he wanted a pink egg. Understand that this is entirely because it was the only pink egg and he didn’t get to choose first, no other reason. After about a minute of rising hysteria, explanations of the merits of a blue or yellow egg and that sinking feeling of yet another pointless confrontation, Jessica quietly lent over the table and pushed her cake towards Ben. Louise and I stared at each other in blank amazement at this selfless act — two year old children are not generally known for their benevolence.
It’s hard to describe my feelings at that moment but it’s definitely one to remember.