We always pray before each meal (and snack too) and Mae has learned to fold her hands in Sunday School during the blessing. Before Mae insisted we fold hands to pray, we held hands around the table while thanking God for His provision. Personally, I think she just wants to sneak a few bites without us noticing while we're saying grace. Putting a hot meal on the table for dinner is usually a challenging event and I'm exhausted when I sit down to eat with my family. One such evening I rested my head in my hands as Jon led the prayer. From that point on Mae has insisted that we pray with our head resting in our hands. "No, Mommy...Like 'dis!" she says as she models her preferred prayer posture.
I have always thought you can learn a lot about parents through the way their children act, behave and respond in certain situations. Being around toddlers and preschoolers, you can notice that when they role play in games of make-believe, the behaviors they themselves are being taught are brought to the surface for all to see. For example, Mae was playing with her dollhouse and insisted that the Mae doll say "Thank You" to the mommy doll. Also, she tucks her baby doll into bed and tells her that she'll be back soon and to stay in her bed. Mae ends the mock bedtime routine with a kiss and cuddle. Likewise, while at McDonald's I see a toddler "spanking" her mommy. Hmmm....I wonder when will Mae come out with that one?? Some days I'm encouraged when I see things the way she sees them in her world. When I watch her play I get a glimpse of myself through her eyes. Other days she'll shoot a disapproving look my direction and I think to myself, "I've seen that look somewhere before..."
As Mae is growing and changing she's watching every move I make, listening to every word I say and copying every action I perform. Having children is like having constant accountability at your every step, and it's challenging me to become a better person everyday.
"Be careful little feet where you go, for it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow."
1 comments:
This is so true. Sometimes scary too! I notice that if I am short with them or have a tone that is not the nicest way to say something, I will hear it come out of my son's mouth while he is talking to someone else. I think where did he hear that tone, "oh yeah that was me" lol. When i get frustrated its easy for me to slip into that "tone" I really have to work on it, thanks for the post to remind me b/c you are right having kids is like looking in a mirror all the time and seeing what you are really like, not what you hope you are like. ...great post
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