We are at the DMV to renew my license.
We have gone really early in the morning to beat the crowds.DH has come as a "come with"
A come-with friend will walk with you to get a cup of coffee even though they are practically bubbling with acidity inside owing to the three cups of coffee they just had.
This friend will come to the restroom with you, will stand in your kitchen while you cook and will drive with you to the donut place even when they are on a diet.
At the DMV - we find our early trip has paid off and we are one of the few people there.
When I come back - I whisper to DH- "I think he thinks I am cute".
The man has opened an envelope that should not be opened. Its something to do with the case of a DUI - a mum and a teenage son who stand around looking anxious and sheepish.
After my form is processed, I am with the man again to get my photograph taken.
But its as though he is a different person !
Gone is the banter. Gone are the smiles.
He has his guard up and does not want to spend a minute more with me than he has to.
I have been witness to his humiliation.
As I smile woodenly for my photograph, I am thinking of how the warm approval of those around is so essential for us to blossom.
At work without the affection and approval of their bosses - employees wither away.
what you are doing is wrong...see this is how we do it.. look into my eyes even if you dont feel like it .. stop opening and shutting the door.. now stop playing with those numbers - look here is what you must play with .. here is a dolly..
They have no choice but to stay where they are.
It does not mean not teaching him - but teaching him in an atmosphere of warmth, approval and expectation of great things always.
Most of all, it means being the ultimate positive reflector for R.
My friend M has a son- a completely independents delightful young man who once had PDD and is now doing great , as she says "without any fancy therapies"
She once said "happy kids learn.....that is the bottom line"
I really hate going to the DMV... my latest picture looks like I am some gang member - it's so bad!
Wow, powerful thoughts on always correcting our children. So true.. they have it constantly shoved at them that what they do is "wrong". Makes me wonder how on earth their self esteem will do when older... food for thought.
Poor man. :( How terrible that feels. Something similar happened to me once when I was waitressing and obviously I never forgot it. So humiliating, and so indicative of the kind of person who should NOT be in charge, to be so cruel to others.
I completely agree with you! It is the other reason (that I failed to mention) why on my AI post about C's screeching, I didn't talk about trying to correct the behavior. They get enough of that, don't you think?
As always, your observations bring a smile to my face good friend.
I was thinking about something similar the other day... how one tiny act changed my outlook for the entire day, and in turn changed the responses of everyone around me.
So glad you have consciously chosen to surround your son with love as you do.
And it is absolutely correct... happy (and loved) children learn.
Created in His image for His enjoyment. Nothing less can be expected for our children.
To love and enjoy them AS THEY ARE now pulling out their greatness by applauding the good things we see.
Once read; Any fool can see our faults but a wise person will mine through all our dirt just to find our specks of gold.
Under our affirmation, our kids will soar.
You are like a warm dose of wisdom. The grace you possess I hope to have.
Well said. That is so unprofessional of the DMV boss, btw :(.
I agree with you, and have to admit it is one of the reasons we tend to leave things like the speech corrections to the ST's as much as possible... I know it's important but I don't want my kids to grow up with their childhood memories of us constantly correcting their pronunciation or things like that. As it is we have to do a lot of reminders to not scream (they don't always realize they are doing it), not climb the furniture, etc. so we try to be mindful and just let them be themselves too (as long as it's not dangerous or damaging anyone's eardrums with loudness, lol).
You are an awesome mom, K. This post is perfect. So true. I believe the same...but it was good to be reminded of it all the same.
I saw an amazing video about this concept called "Validation" - here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao.
I think you would really like it. It is several minutes long, so go when you have a bit of time.