photo by laffy4k
It’s funny that as an adult, my natural inclination (and I suspect the natural inclination of a lot of us parents) is to assume that we know better than our kids do. How many times have you said to do (or not to do) something, and when your kids ask why, you tell them that you just know?
It has amazed me how many times when I let the kids try something the way they want to do it though, then things go surprisingly well. (Of course, this also means that things go horribly awry at times.)
Today was just one of those times when I was sure I knew better, but in the end, I was kissing Molly and saying prayers of thanks for her.
I had purchased little bags for my preschoolers (ages 3 – 5) at our homeschool co-op to decorate for our last co-op of the school year. I was thrilled to get them for $.79 each, but I was already dreading that I would have to have the kids decorate them with paints or the like. “This is going to go horribly wrong,” I thought as I had visions of mass chaos in a carpeted room of a parish that I don’t even belong to. I just couldn’t figure out another way. Then, I thought, “What about markers?” Again — I had visions of the nice tables in that room, which is at the parish of a priest who is rather particular.
Then, today, Molly wanted to color on a hand puppet that I had picked up at the same time, which was made of the same material. She got out crayons and sat down.
“Those crayons won’t work on there, Molly,” I told her, as if I had been trying it every day of my life with no success.
“Oh, don’t worry, they’ll work,” she answered, as if, conversely, she had been coloring on them every day of her life with great success.
Fine, I thought. She’ll see that I’m right and then that puppet will probably be ruined.
Except, of course, the puppet wasn’t ruined. It looked great. With no mess. I quickly grabbed one of the bags and made a sample bag for the kids. The crayons worked like a dream, and I found myself squeezing Molly and singing her praises all over the house.
Apparently it pays to listen to your children’s advice sometimes. (Although I’m still not convinced that sliding down the concrete railing at church is a good idea. Sorry, kiddos.)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice post and good reminder!
.-= Dawn Farias´s last blog ..Cucumber Cooler – A Cocktail Drink =-.
Hi Angie,
I too am a Catholic 30-something mom. I have recently been considering homeschooling myself. My kids currently attend Catholic school. So many new things to educate myself on lately. Any advice?
I came to your blog after I saw you visited mine. Sorry, there was nothing too grand of content yet. I just started this venture very recently and I really don’t know where I’m going with it. That explains my vagueness on my profile. I can always add, can’t take back
P.S. Your second to last post really made me think about what is published. Who knew, but not surprised there are such nitty gritty’s out there. I am sorry that happened!
That is so cool that she helped you solve your problem and she didn’t even know it! LOL!
Yesterday, Abby and I went to the grocery store and one of the things I needed was a vacuum belt. I asked her to help me look for them, but she said, “Mom they don’t have those here.” I of course insisted that they do, but they might not have the one we need. This went back and forth a few times and then finally I got to the aisle where they should be a lo and behold…NO vacuum belts. LOL! I asked her how she knew that, because other grocery stores have them. She said she’s been to that store before and never saw vacuum belts.
The girl was right!
LOL! I’m with you one the concrete handrail.
This is an important lesson, isn’t it? I tend to be like my mom whose motto was, ” if you want something done right, do it yourself.” Not to speak negatively of my mom, she was so very wonderful in so many ways. It has, however, taken some time for me to rid myself of that particular mentality and really let my kids do things.
Now, when it comes to crafty stuff, my daughter is the master at our house, so it doesn’t surprise me too much that Molly knew what was what with the crayons ;o). Yay, Molly!
.-= Sue´s last blog ..Confirmation… =-.
I have a love/hate relationships with moments like those LOL
.-= Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy´s last blog ..Sweet Spirit =-.