Difference between a child and a cockroach
Besides size and overall appearance, not much.
We've had several scary incidents with Nigel recently of him jumping into a pool and running across the (lucky for us empty) road. Even though both incidents resulted in no injury of any sorts, it's taught us something that we've already known for some time - but perhaps forgotten in the course of time.
Children are unpredictable and often cannot be reasoned with. You never know if they're going to dart somewhere or stand-still or continue running away into the distance - especially if there are other children around. Everyone’s encountered shouting in vain at a child that’s running further and further away, eventually having to chase them down and bring them back. Did we really expect them to listen and turnaround? Sometimes it works, other times it’s off to the horizon and into the sunset.
And their promises hold absolutely no water too.
It's time we lower our expectations of them - after all, they're children and their young minds are still developing and have a long way to go. We often forget this and expect them to fully comprehend the situation, the danger, the pros and cons of the evolving storyline, the risks, the hidden possibilities. No amount of screaming and shouting will work if they are not prepared to absorb the new instruction - we might have to accept that it will be that way for the short-term. Until we come to terms with that, there will be little happiness and lots of frustration.
Kids just want to have fun - that's what they are wired to do. Evolution has given them the curiosity to explore and learn by experience - like those little lion cubs that try to play with the cobra. They can make you 1000 promises and then turn around and start jumping and screaming with the others, it's futile. Our role is to ensure that they grow in a secure environment and keep a watchful eye on their behalf - catching them if necessary and letting go when it's safe.
At times, you need to grab their little hands even when they're screaming their lungs out - other times they can and should run free.
We've had several scary incidents with Nigel recently of him jumping into a pool and running across the (lucky for us empty) road. Even though both incidents resulted in no injury of any sorts, it's taught us something that we've already known for some time - but perhaps forgotten in the course of time.
Children are unpredictable and often cannot be reasoned with. You never know if they're going to dart somewhere or stand-still or continue running away into the distance - especially if there are other children around. Everyone’s encountered shouting in vain at a child that’s running further and further away, eventually having to chase them down and bring them back. Did we really expect them to listen and turnaround? Sometimes it works, other times it’s off to the horizon and into the sunset.
And their promises hold absolutely no water too.
It's time we lower our expectations of them - after all, they're children and their young minds are still developing and have a long way to go. We often forget this and expect them to fully comprehend the situation, the danger, the pros and cons of the evolving storyline, the risks, the hidden possibilities. No amount of screaming and shouting will work if they are not prepared to absorb the new instruction - we might have to accept that it will be that way for the short-term. Until we come to terms with that, there will be little happiness and lots of frustration.
Kids just want to have fun - that's what they are wired to do. Evolution has given them the curiosity to explore and learn by experience - like those little lion cubs that try to play with the cobra. They can make you 1000 promises and then turn around and start jumping and screaming with the others, it's futile. Our role is to ensure that they grow in a secure environment and keep a watchful eye on their behalf - catching them if necessary and letting go when it's safe.
At times, you need to grab their little hands even when they're screaming their lungs out - other times they can and should run free.