“ Little People”, as my brother, Bruce, calls them, can just infuse life back into our souls. They make me laugh, smile, and just be glad that I am here living in this time. Of course they can frustrate you sometimes, but on the whole they really do bring a lot of joy into our lives. This past weekend I taught “Little Church” for an hour with eight of these 2, 3, and 4 year olds, and I was amazed at their attention and ability to soak up our new testament lesson about fishing and obeying.
Sometimes as parents or grandparents, we want to hurry along the growing process of little people. We wish they would be more independent or able to do things in a faster mode. I believe that kids are just that…kids. They are not “little adults”, so we need to slow down and treat them in the stage of life where they are at. They will grow and learn and mature as we guide them, but in their own time.
A couple months ago I received this real life happening from a family near Omaha. The parents shared this event in their lives with friends on Facebook. It made me laugh out loud, and I thought you might enjoy the thoughts from two little twin girls. I will call them M and C. It begins with a little background from their mom:
“ You guys, I don’t know if this is a parenting win, or a parenting fail..but this is what happened tonight. Will (the father) discovered that M had written on our wooden table bench with a ball point pen. It would not come off, at all. We called her to the scene of the crime, and she admitted she had done it. We acknowledged, along with her, that there was not a natural consequence, and told her that we would need time to think of an appropriate consequence.
C and M have been playing with some invisible friends all day. They’re small, and there are LOTS of them. They asked if the invisible friends could stay for a sleepover, and I said yes ( so long as they did not require elaborate accommodations). I conferred with Will, and we announced the punishment at dinner. M’s invisible friends would need to go home. They are not allowed to spend the night. This is the conversation that ensued:
M: You will never find them all.
Me: I will find them, and I will tell each of them that we’ll need to find another night for a sleepover when you can make better choices.
M: ( looking me straight in the eye) They WILL kill you.
Me: ( failing at not laughing)
M: Don’t even try to find them because they will kill you! ( She then breaks down in sobs) They are spending the night! They are! ( Now she is openly weeping)
Me: M, I know this is hard consequence, but you absolutely need to learn that you just cannot destroy things.
M: Nooooooooo!!!!!
C: I see them going to the door. I’ll let them out ( as she goes to the door, bidding farewell to several invisible friends).”
Oh, my goodness, what a fun and crazy memory that will be. And by the way, when I asked, C got to keep her invisible friends for the sleepover. It didn’t have to be her punishment, since it wasn’t her fault.
I recently found these “ Commands for Parents” , written from a child’s point of view:
1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball.
2. My legs are short; slow down so that I can keep up with you.
3. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; let me explore it safely, and don’t restrict me unnecessarily.
4. Housework will always be there; I’m only little for a short time. Take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.
5. My feelings are tender; don’t nag me all day long. Treat me as you would like to be treated.
6. I am a special gift from God; treasure me as God intended you to – holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.
Be an encourager! Happy parenting and grand-parenting as you go along in this life. May you reap the smiles and hugs from the time and patience that you give.
lbeerman68@gmail.com
