Many daffodils grow in the woods around our house. Last summer a neighbor friend picked a bunch of them with Cal, much to my dismay. I like to admire them when I look out a side window from the kitchen. When the daffodils started blooming again a couple of weeks ago, it didn't occur to me to remind the boys not to pick them. A couple of days ago Cal and a friend went outside; a short while later Cal returned with a bouquet, and proudly showed me the daffodils he had "replanted" in our garden space.
I went to a parenting lecture earlier this week. The speaker emphasized that the job of parents is to do the work of becoming better people; that children learn by experience and by example.
I wish I could say my immediate reaction to Cal was "thank you very much!"; what I first said was, "Oh Cal" (sad tone).... saw his quivering lip, then said "thank you very much!" and discussed picking later. Parenting is teaching me to become a better person; to respond to a little boy's joy and pride in his gift above all else.
12 comments:
Learning is an ongoing education for all ages. In the end, you may him feel happy.
I think almost every child goes through that exact same lesson. I was fortunate as a child in that we had a woman at church who used to bring the most lovely flowers from her garden every Sunday - and then promptly sent them home with the children. We also had enough at home that we didn't hit the neighbor's yards! However, Gillian and I have had several conversations about why we don't pick the flowers at the park...or the school...or her friend's house...etc. It's just part of growing up. AND, it is more difficult when you know the initial impulse was to generosity.
Hugs to you both!
oh what a sweet lesson! for both of you. it sounds like parenting is a lot of patience and a lot of choosing what is really important.
you always have a way of planting good tips.
Ah! Sweet gesture but tough lesson.
What a sweet boy! They are so fragile in many ways at this age and so loving. Treasure these moments, for they are fleeting. He provided to you a perfect demonstration of the parenting lecture. xoxo
"The parable of the daffodils," it seems. :)
The replanted daffodils look so sweet.
I learned that you can put daffodils that aren't open yet in the fridge, and take a few out at a time to open in a vase. They last quite a while that way!
(Still in down jackets, eh?)
Thanks for this post! I need this lesson.
i love the green and blue with the yellow. and i am learning this lesson too. my mom always taught me to be mindful of learning something each day, every day. we learn so very much from our children. it is a mutual learning experience. i am getting better at my own pleases, thank yous, and apologies. ;)
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
It's a tough message to figure out how to give a child. But if you can let your joy of a bouquet show first, then you are nurturing a future gardener. Most of us present dandelions as our first bouquet and don't get a great response either!
Lovely spring images and the Easter items are charming — especially the card for your husband!
I LOVE this post; just yesterday my four year-old brought me a daffodil with only two inches of stem, so I couldn't even really put it in a vase. We've been watching them for days, waiting for them to bloom. They weren't ready, but Jack presented one to me which still looked a little green and said, "Mom, guess what I can do? I can open flowers with my fingers!" I thanked him and tucked it behind my ear. This is truly a lesson I must learn over and over again, and I love your insight into responding to "a little boy's joy and pride in his gift above all else." I was less enthused about responding joyfully the day my boys "decorated" the living room by spreading every single article of clothing in their dressers around the furniture and carpet.
wow those yellows really pop!! love the striped jacket- the colors are awesome!
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