M and N

Alex hates talking about school when I pick her up. I at first resented that. Then I realized she just wanted to enjoy my company and the ride to the office.

Then one day, she was a bit worried.

"I made a mistake," she said. "I was asked to write M and I got it wrong."

D e t a n.

She was trying to write the word 'daytime' two weeks ago. I noticed the N and noticed the confusion. I thought a few more days at school would help clear things up for her. I also told her that the letter M resembles birds in flight; two wings. Apparently it didn't help.

I spent the evening thinking how I could help her.

The following day, I drove her to the nearest McDonald's. I showed her the golden arch and explained that it's M and it stands for McDonald's. I told the service crew that the toddler was having a tough time with M and N.

"It has two wings," the lady cheerfully told Alex.

The tactic helped a lot. She now knows her letter M.

When she grows up a bit, I will tell her it also stands for Mephistopheles.