Lessons from a Master Teacher

My children never cease to amaze me. I have made it a part of my daily routine to observe them closely, as they always manage to teach me something new or at the very least entertain me. (Who needs television when you have kids?)

I couldn't help but hear an exchange that was taking place this morning between my youngest May-May and her older sister Emm. I came in on a conversation that was already in progress. Apparently Emm had out grew her affections for a certain shirt. Since the shirt no longer pleased her she did what most big sisters do with stuff they no longer want, she gave it to her little sister.

There must have been something special about the way May-May wore that shirt because Emm decided that she had made a mistake and wanted May-May to return the shirt. May-May, being the diplomat that she is tried her very best to reason with Emm. She explained to Emm that it was both impolite and unacceptable to give something to someone and then ask for it back. She reasoned that technically once the gift is given, ownership is no longer yours and therefore you no longer have any right to reclaim the item. (I thought she handled that very well for a soon to be 13 year old.)

I pretended not to be listening and went into an adjoining room where I could still hear the conversation. Despite May-May's well pleaded case, Emm consistently over-ruled her and insisted that she return the shirt in question. Pleased with her ruling Emm departed to get ready for school, leaving May-May heated in the kitchen.

Being the good sport that she is May-May proceeded to fix breakfast for both herself and Emm. Appearing to be un-phased by Emm's ruling, she fixed the food and plated it nicely and then sat places at the table for the both of them.

Several minutes later Emm came along both surprised and hungry, seeing the lovely meal May-May prepared for her she sat down to enjoy. Just as she was about to dig in, May -May reached across the table and removed the plate, leaving Emm dazed and confused.

Now it was Emm's turn to do some pleading. I was trying my best not to laugh as Emm's plea's were reduced from logical arguments to trying to pull Big sister rank in an attempt to get the plate back. All attempts were unsuccessful.

By now I had moved to the kitchen, still trying to keep my composure as Emm came around the corner disappointed. "I guess I'll just have a bowl of cereal!" she said loudly so that May-May could hear her in the dining room. She then turned to me and said, "Can you believe this?" Before I could answer, May-May came into the kitchen, plate in hand, and returned the food to Emm. "Consider this my lesson to you on giving things to people and then taking them back!" Emm took the plate and then both her and May-May went, sat down and had breakfast together.

You have to know my children to understand that Emm is the food connoisseur of the family. Given the choice between a hot meal and a bowl of cereal, she will choose the hot meal every time. May-May was wise enough to not just try to win Emm over with words, instead she chose to to get right at the very core of Emm's thinker...her stomach. I take it the lesson worked because there has been no more talk of the shirt or any other items being returned.

As a parent I always wonder if I am getting through to my children. I wonder if they are getting the lessons and the messages that I share with them. Sometimes I am left to wonder, other days I am blessed to see glimpses that tell me that they are getting it. Today I caught one of those glimpses.

Class Dismissed-