Ice Cream Stands

Me: “WordPress and I have continuing disagreements about
the sizes and positions of graphics.
I am comfortable with imperfection.”

 

“Uh Oh” Benefits
August 23, 2025

My friend and I bought our chocolate ice cream in cups and sat at a patio table.

A Mom and Dad and Baby sat at a nearby table. Baby was eating away until she dropped her ice cream.

Baby: “Uh oh!”

Mom cleaned up while Dad held Baby as my friend and I left. I stopped at their table.

Me: “I think ‘Uh oh’ is one of the most important things babies learn.”

Dad: “Yep, it helps us know what’s happening. I agree.”

New perspective for me, that response. I consider “Uh oh’’ an important way for children to learn how to cope with difficulties.

“Uh oh, this happened, but we fix it and move on.”

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Reward For Thoughtfulness
September 19, 2025

We drove to the ice cream stand. I was going to park on the empty street right next to the building, but a pickup truck turned onto the street behind me. I could see the driver wanted to park, so I pulled up to give him room.

Pickup driver got to the window before we did. Another woman walked up to the window from the other side.

Pickup Driver: “I’m buying ice cream for everyone.”

I thought Pickup Driver was in a generous mood that had little to do with me.

Me: “I see I left you enough room.”

Pickup Driver: “That’s why I’m buying the ice cream.”

DISC Behavior Styles Clues
Generosity
Friendliness

Influence

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Girls Having Fun
September 24, 2025

My friend and I took our ice cream to one of the patio tables. The only other people at a table were 3 mothers and 3 daughters 7 or 8 years old. The girls were very noisy with laughter and play in the area around their table. They occasionally sat at their table to eat their ice cream, but the ice cream breaks were much shorter than their play time.

When my friend and I were ready to leave, I went over to their table.

Me to the mothers: “I just want to say… If they keep up like this, people might think they’re happy!”

Delighted laughter.

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© Paula M. Kramer, 2025
All rights reserved.
Updated October 14, 2025.

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