The things I learn

Things I learn from my kids:

The latest thing is about being tough - My babyest boy was in a phase of his life that required crying about every little thing when something "happened" to him. For example, if he fell on the concrete and got a bleed...there'd be tears and some added vocal activity. That kind of thing...Since he's been a baby we've tried to help him control his emotions. Like when he erupts into tears about something that hasn't gone his way, we are able to tell him to stop doing that, and for the most part, he does. This is another phase of that lesson. When we get hurt, our reaction should be more than just a reaction...it should communicate the severity of the issue to those around so others can respond or help appropriately. So, if he falls and skins his knee, it should not be the same level of angst from him as if his knee were to have fallen off. And, that's exactly the phase he was in. The level of pain or problem was irrelevant, he was victimized and the world was going to know about it.

Well, as we've worked with him, he's learned quite well. Last night, he was standing by our soccer goal...one of the older boys absolutely ripped a shot and hit babyest boy right in the gut. He staggered for a second...all of his peers and I move toward him not knowing how bad he'd react...I asked, "you ok?". He looked at me and his face was looking like he was holding his breath because it had been knocked out of him..That always terrifies me when it happens to me. Yet...he uttered in a fashion where you don't have any air to say a word.."yep"....and finally caught his breath and walked off.

Man, that dude is tuff! A few minutes later I absolutely blasted a shot that caught him on the back of the legs from across the yard...when he got back up, he just continued with what he was doing...

Another lesson about being tough - My middle boy has this new saying. I don't know where he got it...but, I love it. He USED to say..."That's fine." when he was hurt or something happened that he didn't like. But, his new phrase is now a favorite. The other day we were doing something outside and he somehow got "nailed" in a painful way (I think by me.)..the reason I think that is because that's when I first heard him say the phrase. As I apologized he looked right at me and said, "It's ok...it's part of it."

All of the kids have done the same in some way lately that has made me so proud...

Those things have made me reflect on how I respond to adversity and things that go against how I'd expect them to go. Most of the time, I throw a "fit" that would lead someone to believe that the thing happening right then was the absolute most critical thing EVER. But, if I'd just step back and apply the lesson I've learned from my kids I might catch my breath and say..."it's ok...that's just part of life"..