Jack and Oswald

When Lilli started calling herself Oswald, we thought it was adorable, hilarious, and creative. Then, when she named us characters from her favorite show, we thought it was pretty interesting how committed she was to this play. So, we played along for the most part, letting our worries just simmer close to the surface.  We told ourselves it was her imagination and we needed to let her roll with it.

She was completely committed to this cast of characters, hysterics flew when we didn't oblige.  She'd fall to the floor screaming if we didn't act our parts and give in to the constant requests for her to be called Oswald. Tears flowed when Dave wouldn't "talk like Henry!" Arguments ensued when we got tired of playing along, fits were thrown when we didn't call the dog by his new given name, Wienie. We played along when we could, but it grew very tiresome.

After what felt like an eternity, she moved on and found a new obsession. Jack Black was the new Oswald.  He was a character on Yo Gabba Gabba with his good friend "Mini-bike". Once again, we played along. I even made her a replica of the "Minibike" with some construction paper on the front of her tricycle. Dave talks for "Mini-bike" which comes in handy when she won't listen to either of us. It seemed like such a cute idea, but in reality, it grew her obsession.

Every morning, every nap time, every bed time, Minibike had to have a part. She insists on being called Jack, she insists on watching the single episode of Yo Gabba Gabba over and over. "Mini-bike" gets his own blanket, pillow, "guy", and even a bowl at dinner. Poor Oswald is a distant memory. Over a weekend, we went to the movies. She saw a two minute preview of Kung Fu Panda, Jack Black's new movie, and talked about it for the next two hours. When asked about the movie, it's all she'll talk about, hardly mentioning the actual movie we watched.

From time to time, I wonder how "normal" it is for her to be so obsessed with a fictional character. More so her need to becomes a character. I thought about going research-mom route, talking to doctors or finding books on how to deal with an overly imaginative child. We talked about what to do, but my gut kept telling me the same thing. Let her learn.

As a society, myself included, we spend entirely too much time trying to ensure our kids are "normal".  Sometimes it forces a child into trying to be someone they are not, losing focus on their true talents. She is just exploring different roles, trying to understand friendships, and learning through pretend.  I watched her practice be put to real life use recently when at a birthday party. She saw her best friend, she held her hand, they hung out together, they counted on a swing, and she was full of hugs and affection.  And the moment we got into the car she told us she was going to go home and tell "Mini-bike" about her day.  I just have to let her learn, even if I have to call her Jack to get her to go to bed at night.