Saturday, June 6, 2015

Little Women Read-Along: Daisy and Demi (Ch. 45)

A sweet interlude of a chapter, huh?  I cracked up several times here, especially when Alcott observed that "the twins got on remarkably well together, and seldom quarreled more than thrice a day" (p. 413).  That sounds awfully familiar to this mother of several small ones -- Daisy and Demi are three, which is exactly how old my Tootie is right now :-)

And of course, the chapter ends so deliciously, with Jo and Professor Bhaer practically flirting! 

Favorite Lines:

Daisy and Demi had now arrived at years of discretion, for in this fast age babies of three or four assert their rights, and get them, too, which is more than many of their elders do (p. 412).

Possible Discussion Questions:

Do you know any adults who, like Professor Bhaer, "are at home with children" and get along with them uncommonly easily?

10 comments:

  1. My friend Beth stays home with her daughter, and they get along so well! It's wild. But Beth is one of those incredibly sweet, always positive people who can get along with anyone, so maybe it's just her personality.

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    1. Hannah, some people just seem to have a special gift with kids, don't they? My dad is like that -- he's like a pied piper, always a bunch of kids following him around.

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  2. Aww! These twins have their 'Dranpa' and everyone else for that matter, wrapped around their little fingers, especially Demi! Too sweet:)
    Yes...I knew a beautiful older lady who was the sweetest with children, always had a kind word and gave them her full attention...she unfortunately had to go back to the UK two years ago, but she will forever live in our hearts! She left a bit of sunshine wherever she went... She even played hopscotch with us and did crafts!
    The kind of old lady I want to be one day:). Haha! I love Jo and her professor!

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    1. Kelly-Anne, I think that's part of the difference -- the adults who give kids their full attention and are actually interested in what they have to say are the ones kids gravitate to. Definitely the kind of old lady I'd like to be too!

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  3. Yes--when I was a little kid, we lived across the street from an old couple who were SO NICE to me and my siblings. Even though they had to have been close to 80 at the time, they were always inviting us over, playing with us, giving out cookies . . . and so on. The husband was a WWII vet, actually, and he died last year (at 92, I think). I thought of him yesterday because it was D-Day.

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    1. Jessica, that's so cool that you had neighbors like that! When I was really little, we lived near an older gentleman who would give me a little fun-size Snickers whenever we went by his house. Snickers remain my favorite candy bar to this day.

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    2. Yes, when you're a little kid and you have adults who go out of their way to become friends with you, it makes a huge impact on the rest of your life.

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  4. I loved this chapter! It had me laughing the whole time, especially the last part. :)
    I actually don't know anyone else, besides my grandmother and dad, who gets along with children easily. I know there are people like that out in the world. I just wish I would meet them more often.

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  6. I know a few people who are, but they are not quite to Professor Bhaer's level. :) Sometimes it's increased when they themselves don't have children.

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