As parents, it’s our job to teach our kids important lessons in life. But we can also stand to learn a thing or two from them.
2 Important Lessons I Learned From My Kids
How to be patient
I used to hear moms and dads say that becoming a parent taught them about patience. It’s not like I didn’t believe them, I just couldn’t relate – until now.
I registered by daughter for pool lessons for the summer instead of sending her to camp. I thought it would be a great way to re-introduce her to the water and also get her little brother comfortable in the pool. I’ll admit it was a bit frustrating in the beginning because he wouldn’t get in unless I was right there with him.
Granted, this is a kiddie pool with the deepest part being 16 inches. Despite being so shallow, he refused to even put his feet in. Needless to say, I complied and went in with him.
Everyday we’d go in the water together. A part of me wanted to sit poolside in a recliner and enjoy some much needed me-time, while he enjoyed water play alone. Since there were multiple life guards on duty, I had no reason to be concerned. Besides, I was just inches away from the pool.
Anyway, he’d bring along his water toys and play while his big sis took lessons. Whenever kids offered to play with him, he refused.
“I don’t want to play with him anymore,” he said.
“Why,” I asked.
“Because I don’t want to play with him anymore,” he answered.
He never played with anyone to begin with, but used the word “anymore” to drive home his point.
At first I didn’t get it. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t play with the other kids. But rather than pressure him into making friends, I let him lead the way.
Making friends was one thing, but the pool was a whole other story. He had no problems standing in it. He refused to fully get wet. In fact, we reached a point where I didn’t bother bringing him a towel because of it.
But then out of nowhere, he surprised me. He actually tried floating on his back. It was a quick attempt that didn’t last, but at least he tried.
Fast forward to last week, he gave us another little surprise and sat in the water. At one point, he even got his hair wet – something he’d also refused to do in the past. As for making friends, we’re still working on it. But I won’t force the issue.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that when it comes to kids, it’s all about being patient. I also feel that every child is different. I’ve seen parents throw their kid off of the diving board to get them to jump in deep water, and it worked for them. My kids, on the other hand, like to approach things at their own speed.
How to be fearless
Take our daughter for example. At the beginning of the summer, she couldn’t swim (despite taking lessons from 10-months-old to 3-years-old). When it came time to jump off the diving board, she hesitated. However, she quickly got over her fear and jumped in one day.
It’s amazing how my children were able to get over their fears so quickly. I grew up being terrified of the water. I took swimming lessons in high school to get over that fear, which later came back when I suddenly ended up in the deep end. However, this summer I’ve been spending so much time in the water working on techniques she’s learned during swim lessons.
My issues are still a work in progress, but I’ve also improved. I guess that’s also why I’m hell bent on my kids learning how to swim. Our daughter has certainly come a long way in just a few short weeks and I know her little brother is not far behind.
I just can’t wait to see what the future holds. There’s a lot of amazing things in store for them and it will be interesting to see it all unfold. There are so many more important lessons left to learn.