# @janylsmithesq on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DchsOryK9U8
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69848783-janylsmithesq-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/6f71aaa5ae.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-27T02:22:05.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Janyl Smith (@janylsmithesq) — https://gondola.cc/janylsmithesq

## Caption

My Cooper turns four tomorrow. 🎂 The night before his birthday felt like the perfect time to celebrate what he’s learned from our special time in the evenings before bed, “talking about the laws,” as he likes to say.

Some of these concepts, like the elements of negligence and the basic elements of a common law contract, he’s known since he was two. Others I’ve added along the way, like the levels of scrutiny and the Supreme Court cases.

But what has been incredible to witness over the past year is how he’s started putting the pieces together for himself. As we’ve talked more about negligence, I’ve gone beyond the elements of a prima facie case and given him more hypotheticals. The definitions of duty and damages you hear in this video are Cooper’s definitions!! They came from him developing his own understanding of what those concepts actually mean. 🙌🏽

Most nights, after we finish reading our books, we spend a little time “talking about the laws.” I don’t plan much for these conversations. We talk, repeat things, add new concepts and build on what he already knows.

I wish I had recorded one of these before his third birthday, because watching this back made me realize how special it will be to see that knowledge build year after year. So I’m starting now. ❤️

This is not his final so relax lol. It’s just my little time capsule of what we’ve been learning together and, frankly, a way of keeping myself accountable to continue pouring into him in this way.

Tonight is his last night as a three-year-old. Tomorrow, I have a four-year-old ready for 1L year. 🤣❤️⚖️

#intentionalparenting #babylawyer #qualitytime #birthdayboy #raisingthinkingpeople

## Stats

- **Views:** 167,046
- **Likes:** 3
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 790

## Tags

intentionalparenting, babylawyer, birthdayboy, raisingthinkingpeople, qualitytime

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