Sometimes I get a little protective. Overly so. I was raised with a lot of testosterone so it seems to make sense. But I get ready for war when I feel like one of my kids needs protecting. For instance, this evening. We have many kids on our block and one of the girls decided to take two of the four of them to swim in her backyard. Thus leaving isabelle right in the middle of their playing time alone in our yard. They didn't invite her but each ran to their homes to ask if they could swim at the instigators house. To make matters worse, one of the mothers who was completely aware that her daughters were being selfish and rude made up an entire story to isabelle and my husband about how she "forgot" the girls already had a play date scheduled. What ever lady. Don't make me come over there.
so I get home and this has all happened and my daughter (much better looking than all those girls) is sad facing it on the porch and our hands are tied because of stupid parents. So we talked with Izzy about what it means to be a good friend and to remember this time so she will never be the one leaving people out and that some grown ups are dumb. Only we said it nicely.
then the stewing set in. As I am making meatballs and preparing dinner, scenarios are spinning through my head.
me to the moms- I think it is important for us to teach our girls how to be a good friend and this has happened a couple times. Do you mind talking to your girls about this.
the moms-well I Don't see anything wrong with it. They Don't always have to play together.
me to the moms-oh I am sorry I thought you were the grown up here. Is your mommy home.
so I prayed. Big step. I usually have about ten more scenarios before I turn to this method.
but feeling God wanting to teach me something, I stopped "talking" and started praying.
God, thank you for being bigger than this silly situation. Thank you for helping me to teach Isabelle the importance of being a good friend. Thank you for our prayers together tonight and forgive my creativity when it gets the best of me. Help me to be merciful to the dumb people. Just kidding. Thanks for being merciful to me. Help me to live it. amen
3 comments:
maybe i'm glad i don't live on your block. the time the "adults" really begin to get to you is during the teenage years.
me - do you know that your daughter had a bunch of kids over at your house drinking alcohol and doing inappropriate things?
"adult" - at least they're not doing it in the street
me - that's true. i'd much rather they be comfortable while doing this. nice thinking.
Lord - grant us all patience. You love even the "dumb" people. "watch your thoughts" He says, "and remember you are some other parent's dumb person."
and He's right - i know i have been at least once
i dont think it would be a stretch to say about three times over here.
it's interesting how your kids play outside & stuff.... my girls won't go outside in the heat if i paid them to. from what i've heard so far, maybe, it's a good thing that they stay inside- away from all those mean & dumb people. ;-]
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