My favorite thing about my job as a daycare provider also about being a Mom, besides the hugs, is watching when a child learns a new thing. I am watching a little boy that is about 21 months old and the last couple of weeks have been fun. He is learning his words, instead of screaming to get what he wants. He is learning his colors and about his world. The best is watching him “read”. His favorite activity is to sit with a book on his lap and chatter to me about what it might say. I only understand a few of the words, but the stories are great!
He is learning that if he turns a basket upside down then the things inside will fall out. If he gets hurt I will pick him up, say its ok and he will go about his day-usually doing the same thing that got him hurt in the first place. Hmm that sounds familiar. Right now his needs are basic. He needs love, comfort, food, clean diapers and someone who is understanding.
The next stage of kids are the Pre-school/Kindergarten. They need me in their minds less, but they also need me more. They have a definite view of life and that it revolves around them. Man they are cute though! This is when they are learning what words mean, how to play make believe with another child, and how to let go of needing Mom or their caregiver for everything. They still run to you for comfort if they get hurt, but nothing solves hurts better than that invention called a band aide. They question all that you do or say, but that is part of the learning process.
Both of these stages you can have great conversations with, but I am learning that the ages that come next especially since it is my kids is the school age. The opinions have knowledge behind them, sometimes they only have enough knowledge to think they know better than Mom. I love to visit with my kids and see what they are thinking. I love to teach them the “deeper” part of things. The light bulb still goes off with new discoveries just like the toddler. The hugs are still there, but happen at sweet and unexpected times.
Children fascinate me. My favorite thing to do is sit down, ask them a question and then just let them talk. You can learn so much about how they think, if what you taught them they got or do you need to re-teach them. I know that God has done this with me. Lets me talk and think and then steps in and re-teaches me. If I get hurt he patches me up and if I do the same thing again he re patches. He delights when I run to him, just for a hug. Just to know that he is still there. Still in control, even though in my childish way I am trying to be in control. I read his word and pray for understanding, so he calmly and gently puts me on the right path to understanding-sometimes a few time over again.
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