I’m not exactly the type of person who would ever desire to run a day care. I shy away from most organized ‘play group’ type children activities. And I can’t ever imagine myself a school teacher. Although neighbor children are always present (and welcome) in our home and babysitting for a friend is often in my schedule, I don’t typically surround myself with too many other children besides my own.
Until recently.
In November, I began a new assignment in my church. I have gone from a two year assignment of spending forty minutes every other week teaching the Bible to adults, to now keeping tabs on 60+ children for two hours each week. It is as different as night and day…
I have seen nose picking, I have seen potty dances, I have seen poor behavior, I have seen tears, I have seen a giant booger stuck to the front of a beautiful dress, I have smelt stinky breath, I have touched sticky, dirty hands, etc. etc. etc. And I have been doing some quiet reflection.
The last time I was in there, I looked back at my now nine year old boy. He was sitting quietly, contently and focused on the speaker. I thought back to a few years ago, when he was just five years old. Somebody that worked closely with him cornered me at a social gathering one evening and began to list every inappropriate action and comment my son had done or said during his time with her. Nothing was of any serious nature, it was just very typical ‘boy stuff.’ However, the (one-sided) conversation left me feeling very discouraged and honestly, a little bit angry.
As mothers, we owe it to each other to love each other’s children. (And oh boy do I know how difficult that is, I mean heavens above, it is hard enough to like my own children all of the time.) I thought back to a lady who worked closely with my son at the same time as ‘the other lady’, who frequently said to me, “I just love him. He has a personality and he truly loves life.”
Isn’t that a nice way to describe a child who may not always be the perfect-sit-still and listen-to-the teacher-type-kid?
Last week, I removed my focus from my son and looked around the room. I saw YOUR children. Some had their hands pestering their neighbors, and some had their hands quietly in their laps, some children were sitting nicely on their chairs, others were acting like a monkey at the zoo. I was looking at my children and I was looking at your children.
And as a mother, I committed to love them all a little more.
(Now somebody, please quickly pass me the hand sanitizer…)
Hilarious. Mainly because my kid is probably the one picking his nose (and pestering, and doing the potty dance). And eating it. It makes me want to vomit when I see other kids do it. But I know Charlie does it when he thinks no one is looking.
ReplyDeleteI am VERY grateful to know that my children have wonderful teachers (including you) that make an effort to love them, not just to survive the time with them!
Tiffany, I have been reading every one of your blogs for a couple years. You are one of the very most loving mothers I know and you have so much humor and insight along the way. Thank you for enriching my life. This blog was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI liked this post. I remember the days (so long ago) when my children were in primary and school (remember, you are an important school figure as well). I was well aware of the kind of behavior my kids could portray. I occasionally would ask them, "do you like your teacher?" and then sometimes I would ask, "does your teacher like you?" Kids can recognize if they are loved or not. You are doing a great job! With your children as well as others. But I have to agree... pass the hand sanitizer!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy reading your posts! You have just the right way of putting things. Thanks for capturing the moments we all see each week and making me smile while remembering to just love the children!!