There are some saying that you just love to say with some emphasis that also bring you relief by allowing you to express your frustration. "Other People's Children" is just one of those sayings. I admit I have probably said this before in a negative form one way or another.
Sometimes though there are things that happen that renew your believe that people can actually raise good children. A few weeks ago my daughter tells me she was the only one in her class that couldnt do the monkey bars. Despite my best efforts I was never able to get her to get across them.
A few days after this we were at the park and a little oriental girl comes to the monkey bars and just starts cruising across them at first with no regard for others trying it out. I would have asked her to take turns but she was so darn cute. Then my daughter started to interact with her. So I stood by and just watched. This little girl with little verbal communication kept doing the monkey bars with my little girl till she could do them!
It was so awesome that this little girl, younger than mine, was able to teach her. I do feel like my fatherly duties were taken from me a bit since "I (puffed chest) dad, teacher of all things outdoors"couldnt teach the simple act of monkey bars.
I pause and look at it differently. I did get a lot of chances, which I did take to try and teach her. I did teach her and she did do it all the way once. But, there was just something about learning it from another child that worked for her and I couldnt be prouder.
Well last week we were at the park again and I was about ready to go but I noticed that a little hispanic girl, older than J'alee was there and was trying unsuccessfully to do the monkey bars. So what happened? You bet ya...kids paying it forward. My little girl did the monkey bars till that girl was able to do it. She also paid the price with several blisters on her hands too! But she loved it and as a dad I couldnt be prouder! I also got to live my child being "someone elses children" in a good way!
I sure love ya baby girl!
2 comments:
Yes it's so good. You did an even vetter thing by standing by. You taught her how to be self reliant, and to collaborate with other kids. These are essential life skills !! She's so cute. But.... I never liked the monkey bars
i ever was able to do the monkey bars or even a pull up bar for that matter. Just ever was interested in that stuff. I like soccer and playing football though.
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