Some Lessons

March 30, 2013

Filed under: Uncategorized — Amy @ 6:00 am

Yesterday was the last day of Spring Break, and the monkeys and I met my Dad for lunch at a local diner.

We passed my Dad in the parking lot while we were looking for a spot, and the monkeys hopped out to walk in with him while I continued to search.

When we got inside, my Dad immediately asked why I let Monkey in the Middle out of the house without a coat on, as it was only 54 degrees.

My response was “I tried to tell him, Dad, but sometimes, you gotta learn the hard way.”

As a teacher, I know that when trying to teach someone something, telling is hardly ever successful.

Showing is moderately more effective.

Yet, let someone try it out for themselves and they own it.

Same goes with life lessons.

Let’s be clear…I’m not talking about things like taking drugs, trying to outrun a train, or touching a hot stove.

I’m talking about the every day lessons that kids are learning each and every day.

So, if it’s not a “high risk” lesson to learn, I’ll give them my opinion, but let them learn on their own.

Using this approach my kids have learned:

hairspray is not a good de-tangler

peanut butter and hard-boiled eggs are not a good combination

mud pies are not delicious

spinning in circles directly after dinner will cause you to vomit

…and yes…when you’ve had a winter like we have, it’s too cold not to wear your coat while walking through town on a 54 degree day.

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