A lesson on socializing

Between my previous post and this, I was with Mr E having our routine bedtime chat when he started talking to me about his time during our playgroup outing with the ABCD gang.

Background

Recently, Mr E been throwing tantrum easily whenever his friends don’t want to do what he wants.  On last week’s Sunday school, he even got into a fight with a friend cause the other boy was so irritated with Mr E’s persistant hassling.  Even though I know it is wrong for anyone to be fighting, but I also recognised that my son is the one who provoked someone else into resorting to physical action.

I have actually been telling Mr E that he needs to give his friends space, and to respect his friend’s decision and will when they don’t want to do what he wants.  Apparently Mr E turns a deaf ear to all the advices, which resulted in the fight during Sunday school.

Back to our chat

Well, Mr E told me that during our journey to our playdate, he reminded himself to respect his friends, give them space and don’t force them into playing the game he wants.

And during playdate, he said he put that into practised, and even gave all the details and example of how by respecting his friends, they ended up doing other things together happily which both of them enjoyed.  There were times when he listened to his friends, and also other times when his friends listened to him.

It brings be so much joy to know that finally, something in his mind clicked!  Finally, he understood what I meant by respecting and giving each other space.  Finally, he found the joy of giving without hurting.

Before we ended the conversation, he asked me excitedly when will be the next time we meet his friends, cause he wanted to put what he learnt into practise.

Well, the next time will be Friday.  Meanwhile, I told him to continue to give the respect to his sister, his parents, and his helper.

Some may persist that if we advice our children to listen to people, we are not training them to be a leader.  I beg to differ such view.  In my opinion, great leaders are those who listen and respect.  How can one gain the respect of others if we don’t give others the respect right?

“God, thank you for showing Mr E the way.

Mr E, I’m very happy that you have found the joy of giving and respecting.”

Be Less Of A Control Freak

I think one of the reasons that is getting on my nerves is the fact that I’m a control freak.  Things has to be done this way, using this, during this time, for this long… Oh well, this is a little exagerating, but I’m someone along this line.  And I think being this way not only stresses me, but also those living with me.

Plus, being a control freak can be detrimental to our walk with God too.  Who is in control? God or me?  This is probably one reason why I have decided that sending E to school is probably good for me too.  Its a time for me to surrender my control over E to God, his heavenly Father.

Apparently, both my hubby and I are control freaks, which is why, in my opinion, we struggled a lot during those times when I was helping him with his business.  Now, at least my control is home, while his is the business, that reduces conflicts.  Kind of wonder which of my children will have this trait.

“Let go…” “Let go…” “Let go…” is something I have to constantly remind myself to do today, and for a long road ahead.