INNER STRENGTH ◽ YOU
As I reflect on this last month, I realize that it was full of "how to" moments with my children.
Unwrap Moving Boxes
My kids and I had just moved into a new apartment. Moving in December was great because we got to unpack the Christmas boxes right away. We all love the Christmas season!
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cut a slit at the edge between the lid and the side of the box
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find the origin of the first layer of tape
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Peel and pull (if the tape gets stuck you can use scissors)
Make a Gingerbread House (In our case, more like how to make the pieces stay..)
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Soften the icing by kneading the bag first
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Test where the edges will meet before putting the icing on
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Squeeze icing along the edge of both pieces and gently press them together
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Hold the pieces together for at least 15 seconds
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To ensure the candy stays, place the icing on the candy (especially the bigger sized ones)
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Place the candy on the desired place and hold for at least 15 seconds
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If something doesn't hold, repeat the process and add reinforcing icing.
The boys took turns practicing these steps. It was not a simple task. At the end of it, they preferred to eat parts of it and appreciate its beauty. They gave me permission to finish it if I wanted to.
Put up Christmas tree lights
I asked Brendan for his help putting up the lights. He pulled the string of lights tight and let the rest of the cord fall. As soon as I saw this, I stopped him and taught him how to put them up. He did a great job paying attention and following along until he reached independence with doing it.
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Hold the neatly wrapped bunch of lights in one hand, letting out some slack (I showed him what I meant by slack) while using the other hand to guide the individual cord on the tree
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Lay the cord lightly on the branches, starting at the top of the tree
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Wrap it around and go to the next branch or two below to put the string of lights on
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Follow this pattern until you have reached the bottom of the tree
Believe in Santa Clause when some people don't
This was a conversation I knew would come but was hoping not so soon. Matthew told me one day after school that other kids were saying Santa Clause wasn't real. He asked me if I believed in Santa. I told him that I will always believe in Santa Clause, that he is a special spirit, magic of Christmas.
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Make the decision to believe
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Tell yourself that it is ok to think differently than others
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Keep Santa Clause in your heart, mind, and soul
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Tell someone you trust and cares about you how you feel if need be
After I talked to Matthew about this, I was relieved that he was at peace about it.
The lessons I've learned from all of these experiences are:
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Don't assume what kids know or don't know how to do. It might surprise you
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Once you give a direction, give your child the opportunity, space to follow it
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Sometimes less direction is more
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Have he or she do as you do is often the best learning strategy
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Most importantly, these learning experiences are memories created between you and your children. Cherish them!
If I can do it, so can you!