Yesterday John and the boys went to the Webster Pool ready for an afternoon swim. Just as they got their suits on, the lifeguards were getting everyone out of the pool because lightening was spotted.
The boys were sad, but John promised that they would all go again this evening. So this evening we were ready to go to the pool, but we waited to long and forgot the pool closes early on Sundays. Whoops, this time we blew it.
John was sad because the kids were going to be disappointed which they were, tears were shed but slowly dried when we decided to set the little pool up in the backyard.
JJ insisted on wearing his water wings to make it feel more like the “big pool”. Slowly, everyone got really into it and had a great time. Stunts were being performed down the playground slide splashing into the little pool and the boys were successful in thoroughly soaking everyone involved. John did make the comment that it wasn’t fun to shoot me because I didn’t give any sort of reaction when I got shot. I’ll have to work on that.
As I watched the wet chaos that ensued, I realized the fact that we can’t protect our children from every disappoint life throws their way. But, do we really want to? Life is disappointing. If we tried to protect them, they would really be screwed when they grew up. I think our jobs are to show them how we handle disappointment.
This parenting moment I think we actually did okay. We tried to show them we understood their disappointment (this is John’s strength not mine) and we tried to make the situation a little more bearable. Making lemonade out of lemons..or however that expression goes.
What do you do when your kids are disappointed?
June 21st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
We have to deal differently with each kid. With Eli, we can give hugs and cuddles and then talk to him about it. With Adeena, she throws a fit. So, we have to wait for her to calm down. She doesn’t like for us to talk to her when she is ‘fitting’. But when she is done, we can talk about it and also talk about other options of things to do. I like how you and John reflect back with them and let them know you understand. I definitely need to do that more.