With only one child and thus no frame of reference, it’s difficult to say what is a normal behaviour or reaction: having no such frame of reference, I feel totally confident in saying that I deem our household to be fairly typical. Oh sure, we may enjoy childish humour a little more than most, but as far as we’re concerned if it brings a smile to Jaden’s face where’s the harm?*

Now that I’ve prefaced the topic, I feel more comfortable in delving into the notion that my son - no matter what is going on - can be made to laugh with a simple reference to how smelly his feet are. I first observed this phenomenon when Jaden hurt himself one day, and in further experimenting have found this consistently helps him feel better whether he’s suffering from a playground scrape, or (to my surprise) recently when he woke up with a cold. Once I ascertain the situation is not a life or death matter, I only need to make a disgusted face and plead to not have to kiss stinky feet. Jaden’s immediate reaction is classic - in a heartbeat, he’ll go from from crying to a slow smile, and then to outright laughter. Needless to say this is a tactic I now use every time, and every time without fail Jaden’s crying stops and he’s smiling - granted from time to time there may be lingering tears.

I cannot honestly say what about the situation is so entertaining that Jaden can forget the pain and have a good laugh. It’s likely not the face I’m making or the actual act of having to kiss his stinky feet - I think for Jaden, he loves the fact that I find his feet stinky**. As far as Jaden is concerned, this is a compliment and the stinkier he thinks his feet are, the better. I often wonder to myself how normal this behaviour is (on his part and mine), then again, who am I to be looking a gift horse in the mouth?

In any case, I had considered making this a “tip of the day”, but thought better of it. I think this notion better exists in the realm of parenting humour than any serious tip. And in thinking again about this matter, I wonder why it is I find this so entertaining myself - perhaps it is owing to the fact that I’m a stay-at-home mother of Monsieur Stinky, and we’re both suffering from head colds. Anything not relevant to facial tissues and runny noses is entertaining today.

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* I’ll have to remember that when I get a call from Jaden’s school in a few years for his inappropriate comments regarding topics such as flatulence or the ability to see London, France and underpants.. Sometimes I fear we’re creating a monster - or at least a class clown - but we feel if it’s not malicious or hurtful. it’s probably not going to be catastrophic. Then there was the dinner party we threw with people we hope to get to know better where Jaden began singing “Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet . . . and on and on” - thank goodness these people seem as though they’re like-minded individuals.

** Why is it that boys have such smelly feet? I was talking recently with a mother of another three year old boy, and she completely agreed with me on this matter - boys at this age are very prone to smelly feet. Is this some kind of preparation for mothers for the years we face of typical boy stuff? Because with all of my neices (I have seven), I never once noticed this phenomenon.