As a parent of six kids, one thing that I have observed is that all kids' brains are wired to discover the bandwidth of their limits. They do this differently at each stage of their developmental process and while it can be frustrating and tiresome for parents, it should never be taken personally. In fact, my wish is by the time you finish reading this, you will view their behavior as a beautiful dance. I also wish for negative behavioral terms such as "the terrible twos" to become obsolete. There is no such thing as a terrible two-year-old; they are simply doing what they are wired to do.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wired
As a parent of six kids, one thing that I have observed is that all kids' brains are wired to discover the bandwidth of their limits. They do this differently at each stage of their developmental process and while it can be frustrating and tiresome for parents, it should never be taken personally. In fact, my wish is by the time you finish reading this, you will view their behavior as a beautiful dance. I also wish for negative behavioral terms such as "the terrible twos" to become obsolete. There is no such thing as a terrible two-year-old; they are simply doing what they are wired to do.
Monday, December 15, 2008
You Don't Even Look Worried
One December afternoon, my six kids and I were walking up to an entrance of a local store. We were all giggling and making sure that no cars were going to hit the youngest ones as we crossed the final patch of parking lot towards the front door.
At the same time, an elderly, grandmother-type woman had already arrived at the very same entrance and must have been watching my family and me for a few seconds. It was obvious she was waiting for us. When we arrived, she intersected our path so much so that we all had to stop; her cane was also a deterrent. :) With a serious look on her face, she eyed each of the kids and then she turned towards me. She looked me up and down and just as I was starting to wonder what she wanted, she incredulously asked, "Are all of these kids yours?" With a proud smile on my face, I replied, "Why yes maam, they are." Her skeptical eyes were searching my face for something -- maybe she was counting my wrinkles or trying to see if she could break me down into telling her that I had lied to her and in fact, these kids are not all mine after all. I felt that I was being profiled.I will never forget her final words to me. They were very complimentary in nature (although I don't think she intended them to be) and they still bring a smile to my heart whenever I remember them. She suspiciously looked at me and with a tinge of disappointment in her voice, she muttered, "You don't even look worried." And then she shuffled away.
To date, this is the best compliment I've ever received!! :)
At the same time, an elderly, grandmother-type woman had already arrived at the very same entrance and must have been watching my family and me for a few seconds. It was obvious she was waiting for us. When we arrived, she intersected our path so much so that we all had to stop; her cane was also a deterrent. :) With a serious look on her face, she eyed each of the kids and then she turned towards me. She looked me up and down and just as I was starting to wonder what she wanted, she incredulously asked, "Are all of these kids yours?" With a proud smile on my face, I replied, "Why yes maam, they are." Her skeptical eyes were searching my face for something -- maybe she was counting my wrinkles or trying to see if she could break me down into telling her that I had lied to her and in fact, these kids are not all mine after all. I felt that I was being profiled.I will never forget her final words to me. They were very complimentary in nature (although I don't think she intended them to be) and they still bring a smile to my heart whenever I remember them. She suspiciously looked at me and with a tinge of disappointment in her voice, she muttered, "You don't even look worried." And then she shuffled away.
To date, this is the best compliment I've ever received!! :)
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