Sunday, November 21, 2010
Parenting: Brilliant Time Out Discovery
Ah! I just had a great discovery about time outs: If I designate my sons' time out location in the kitchen near the sink, I can do the dishes while the offender is in time out. This is great for two reason: (1) I keep myself distracted from them and the frustrating situation, and (2) do something productive with my energy and desire to control the situation... instead of trying to control them. Perhaps once the dishes are finished, I'll move the time out stool next to the pile of clothes that need to be folded.
Gabe's Prayer
11.21.10 // 6:45 AM
Jon is off at work, and the boys and I have had a great time hanging out in the kitchen this morning: Will on the counter eating a breakfast snack and Gabe standing on the stool up against the counter making brown rice and sunbutter cracker sandwiches.
It was a peaceful time of me having a few minutes to get the dishes done while staying engaged with the boys.
Gabe was finished and cleaning up then went to the bathroom to wash his hands before wanting to work on his Lego plane. He came back to the kitchen after washing his hands and told me that before he washed his hands he was "just praying to God." He folded his hands as he talked about praying.
I was intrigued by this as only a few times before has he mentioned praying on his own, independent of nudging or routine. I asked him what he prayed about and he said he had already sent his message up to God and that it was gone now. Ah, this kid is amazing.
I was really curious what he was praying about so I asked again using different words about what he said in his message and after a couple of tries, this was his prayer:
"Thank you God, that Ninevah is not a bad city any more."
The reason I love this prayer is because it shows Gabe's heart and the thoughts consuming his precious mind. We haven't read stories from the Bible in a few days and clearly the stories have run through Gabe's head several times since. Gabe's concern over Ninevah and the choices the people there were making shows that he wants people to make good choices and that he has a desire for others to experience God's grace when bad choices are made. He wants good and he wants love to prevail. This simple prayer gives me a sense that there is a seed in Gabe to become a global citizen in caring for other people and cities. Gabe has had previous conversations with us about how everyone needs to be loved and how he has a lot of work to do to tell everyone in the whole world that they are loved. I am curious to see where life takes this little guy and where he takes life.
Of course, I am his mom, and it is possible that I'm reading a little too much into this situation. But I also believe that a mom knows her child's heart and is able to see into it with a keen awareness – for the harsh or exciting reality – more so than an average observer.
Jon is off at work, and the boys and I have had a great time hanging out in the kitchen this morning: Will on the counter eating a breakfast snack and Gabe standing on the stool up against the counter making brown rice and sunbutter cracker sandwiches.
It was a peaceful time of me having a few minutes to get the dishes done while staying engaged with the boys.
Gabe was finished and cleaning up then went to the bathroom to wash his hands before wanting to work on his Lego plane. He came back to the kitchen after washing his hands and told me that before he washed his hands he was "just praying to God." He folded his hands as he talked about praying.
I was intrigued by this as only a few times before has he mentioned praying on his own, independent of nudging or routine. I asked him what he prayed about and he said he had already sent his message up to God and that it was gone now. Ah, this kid is amazing.
I was really curious what he was praying about so I asked again using different words about what he said in his message and after a couple of tries, this was his prayer:
"Thank you God, that Ninevah is not a bad city any more."
The reason I love this prayer is because it shows Gabe's heart and the thoughts consuming his precious mind. We haven't read stories from the Bible in a few days and clearly the stories have run through Gabe's head several times since. Gabe's concern over Ninevah and the choices the people there were making shows that he wants people to make good choices and that he has a desire for others to experience God's grace when bad choices are made. He wants good and he wants love to prevail. This simple prayer gives me a sense that there is a seed in Gabe to become a global citizen in caring for other people and cities. Gabe has had previous conversations with us about how everyone needs to be loved and how he has a lot of work to do to tell everyone in the whole world that they are loved. I am curious to see where life takes this little guy and where he takes life.
Of course, I am his mom, and it is possible that I'm reading a little too much into this situation. But I also believe that a mom knows her child's heart and is able to see into it with a keen awareness – for the harsh or exciting reality – more so than an average observer.
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