Teach Learn Live Love - TL3: Grow and Glow - Parents/Early Childhood

Teach Learn Live Love - TL3: Grow and Glow - Parents/Early Childhood: In the middle of July, the thoughts on most moms of young kiddos minds are - is it a beach day, or an outing day, and is there enough mil...

Grow and Glow - Parents/Early Childhood

In the middle of July, the thoughts on most moms of young kiddos minds are -
is it a beach day, or an outing day, and is there enough milk?
What's not on their minds, just yet, but soon, are -
is my kiddo ready for school by the end of the summer;
how does s/he compare to other kiddos?

If you put a group of parents together on a beach or park bench, they cannot help but compare their own child to the athletic prowess of the self-pumping kid on the swings,
or the budding Frank Lloyd Wright constructing the latest avant-garde sandcastle.
Is she hopping early enough?
Is he close to being potty trained? (Aw heck - have we even started!?)
Does she know enough numbers or letters?
Does he sit quietly enough in circle time?
Is she able to share the toys?
Is he able to write his name?

THEY tell us us not to compare our own children to their own siblings.
I only did that in a more analytical, interested, observing sort of way.
I loved to see the similarities and the differences.
But I was guilty of being the judging and comparing sort of mom sometimes, as well.
Of course I thought my kiddos were more of the gifted and talented sort...
this came with pitfalls.
That is a topic for another day.

The bottom line though, is that my own kids had areas of in which they exceeded developmental expectations, and other areas in which they were not yet ready.
A principal for whom I worked used the term - Glow and Grow.
There are things in which your kiddo shines,
is competent, and confident.
There are also skills and abilities that will require learning, time, application and practice.

One of my daughters mentioned that when recently asked about her soon to be preschooler,
she stated, "She is wonderfully average."
This comment was received with odd reactions by other parents.
 It was absolutely true though, you know.
Each and every one of us have aspects of ourselves that glow,
and we all always have room to grow...even young Frank Lloyd Wright.

So, while you dig in your cooler for the tub of watermelon,
look at your kiddo and see them shine just as they are...

they will be ready in their own time.

Hang on...

Hi there -

This is a work in progress.
Truth - I've been afraid to start this.
So please be kind.
Please be patient.
I hope you'll find a tidbit if news,
and a chuckle along the way.
Mrs. H.