Chapter 1: The Fever Escape & The Sleep Strategy
So, Baba committed a crime. He went to Uncle Tien’s housewarming party instead of going home to help Grandpa plant rambutan. I know this because I keep track of adult failures. Meanwhile, I was at school executing a tactical retreat. I got a fever. Obviously. I came home early because my body decided it was nap o’clock, not learn-o’clock.
Mama asked why I’m sleeping so early lately. I told her the truth: “Ngủ sớm để cao lớn mua xe đạp.” (Sleep early to grow tall to buy a bicycle). Baba’s eyes went wide. He remembered The Promise. The Bike Promise of 2026. I never forget a deal. I just remind people when it benefits me.
Chapter 2: The 30-Day Cleaning Gauntlet
Here are the terms of the contract:
- Sleep early every night.
- Clean the house for 30 consecutive days.
- Reward: One (1) Bicycle.
Current Progress Report:
- Sleep Streak: 5 days. (I am basically a hibernating bear.)
- Cleaning Streak: 0 days. (I tried to mop. I ended up swimming in the bucket. Mama said “no.” I said “science.”)
According to the CDC, toddlers are supposed to learn healthy habits. I am learning that cleaning is hard and bikes are worth suffering.
Chapter 3: Operation Rice Field & The Da Nang Diploma
Next week, Grandpa and Grandma are harvesting rice. I need to coordinate my schedule. I plan to go watch the machines. They go VROOOM. VROOOM is my favorite sound after “cookie jar opening.”
Also, Baba and Mama are leaving me to guard the house while they go register for extra classes. Then Mama is driving to Da Nang to get her graduation diploma. That’s a fancy paper that says she knows things. I already know things. Like where the cookies are hidden.
While they are gone, I will consult the Monash Early Learning Centre guidelines on growth. I expect significant height increase by Tuesday.
Chapter 4: Toddler Logic vs. Society
UF Health says toddlers are learning to adjust to society’s demands. I have submitted my counter-demand: More bikes, less cleaning, and unlimited rambutan.
I cried a little when Mama yelled today. But only because I was practicing my lung capacity. Tomorrow, I sleep early. For the bike. Always for the bike.
———- tags: [‘toddlers’, ‘bike promise’, ‘Vietnamese family’, ‘early learning’, ‘sleep training’] categories: [‘Toddler Life’, ‘Family Adventures’, ‘Growth & Development’] imagePrompts: [‘A cute 3-year-old girl in pajamas holding a thermometer, looking dramatic in bed with a toy bicycle nearby’, ‘A toddler holding a tiny broom much bigger than herself, standing next to a bucket of water, looking mischievous’, ‘A golden rice field with harvesting machines in the background, a small girl pointing excitedly at the machinery’, “A family car packed with luggage labeled ‘Da Nang’, a toddler waving goodbye from the porch holding a diploma scroll”]
Original: Hmm, Tuần rồi baba đi ăn tân gia ở nhà bác Tiến mà không về quê phụ ông bà nội trồng chôm chôm. Sudo đi học ở trường thì bị sốt phải về đầu giờ chiều. Mấy nay sudo đã ngủ sớm hơn, ít bị ăn đòn hơn nhưng vẫn còn khóc nhè do mẹ la. Baba hỏi sao lúc này em bé ngủ sớm thế? “Ngủ sớm để cao lớn mua xe đạp”. Ồ, thế là baba đã nhớ ra mình hứa với sudo chiếc xe đạp từ đầu năm tới giờ nhỉ? Điều kiện là em bé ngủ sớm và lau nhà trong 30 ngày liên tục. mấy nay em bé ngủ sớm được 5 ngày rồi. còn 30 ngày lau nhà chắc còn lâu lắm. haha. Nghe nói tuần sau ông bà nội xạ lúa, để sudo xem sắp xếp thời gian về coi nhà phụ mới được. Mà còn giữ nhà cho baba và mama đi đăng ký học thêm nữa. Nghe nói sắp chạy xe ra Đà Năng lãnh bằng tốt nghiệp thì phải. Quào.. thật tuyệt vời.