B1, my new 3yo, walked into our bedroom this morning. My husband and I greeted him with “Happy Birthday” and lots of cuddles. He was very excited. We had been talking with him about this birthday coming for a few weeks.

 

As the initial excitement wore down, we proceeded to ask him how old he was.

[B1] “2”.

[Us] No, It’s your birthday. Remember you’re older now. What comes after 2?

B1 thinks about it

[Us] You were 1, then 2, what comes next?

[B1] I’m still 2

[Us] No,  You were 1, then 2, now you’re 3!

[B1] But I don’t have angel wings!

We laughed. Huh?!

[Us] You don’t get angel wings. You were 1, then 2, and now you’ve had a birthday you are 3!

[B1] but I’m still this tall… (with a very confused face)

At this point we laughed again. Oh dear…

 

I thought to myself – I suppose it is a bit of an abstract concept. Growing a little each day and then all of a sudden changing numbers when they have not much concept of time yet (EVERYTHING for my son is “just 2 more minutes”!). I quietly decided that I would continue to try to explain if the ability arose to easily do so, but mostly let it slide. So the conversation continued….

 

[B1] Happy Birthday daddy!

[Daddy] It’s not my birthday, it’s your birthday!

And then

[B1] My birthday’s not in here (points to our bedroom), it’s down there (points to the loungeroom)

And then another half hour passes

[B1] Is it my birthday now?

[Me] Yes darlings, it’s your birthday all day!

 

… it could be a LONG day !!!