A friend sent me the link to this artists blog. And I must admit some of her stuff is truly entertaining, especially because its accompanied by artwork.
The post was a long story of how as a child she tried to eat the cake her mother had baked for her Grandfather’s 75th birthday. It was funny, but I was amazed at my reactions to reading it. I couldn’t really sympathize with the girl. I’ve never read a more clear correlation between kids and dogs! As I read I kept thinking, ‘I know what would have cured her of ever doing that again.” If her mother had burst into tears upon seeing her daughter all puffed up and selfishly eating that cake. Kids see angry and frustrated parents all the time. But cry in front of your kids and you’ll be amazed at the impact.
I know this because once a few years ago when my boys and I were all doing cuddle time on a weekend morning, Evan accidentally knocked me in the face with an elbow. The pain was so sharp I immediately cried and pulled away. The entire room went silent, then quiet apologies. They accepted my chastisement of taking it too rough followed instantly by forgiveness and back to cuddling.
But in that moment they realized Mom wasn’t invincible, that she could be hurt and that they never wanted to hurt her. No matter what they mutter under their breath several years later!
A lesson worth every tear.