a child's curiosity

When you do not pay attention to the curiosity of a child everyone loses. 

 

Yesterday Sam attempted to interrupt my weeding time with a question about something she had found. I glanced up, 

and then looking back down at my weeds said "oh Sam they are just mushrooms, don't touch them, we don't know what kind they are".  She came right back to me that they were soft and didn't seem like mushrooms she had seen before. Again I dismissed her, told her again not to touch them and went back to my weeding (because of course dandelions are the most important thing in the world!). 

And she ran off. Off to explore something else, dig up something else or water another flower. 

Then, today when it was just Avery and I out in the garden I found those two soft, mushroom-like things that Sam had found. And my heart sank. What a teachable moment I missed with Sam yesterday. 

We could have talked about this sign of spring. About this tiny little amazing white puff that would soon grow to be a huge green plant.

About the big green lead that was all curled up inside there just waiting to grow and uncurl. 

But I missed out. In that moment my weeding was more important and we all missed out. So, later today when the rain stops we will go explore, find those "mushrooms" again and talk about what they really are!

Moms - put down the dishes, the laundry, the weeding tools and the cleaning supplies. It can all wait. Play with your kids. Get them outside exploring, learning and playing. Be there with them, asking questions, feeling things and discovering new wonders in your own backyard. Keep in mind what is truly the most important thing in the world right now and don't miss out! 

 

Comments

[Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum]

What a lovely post - I completly get it. I got called away from my deck cleaning to see the ladybird. I've seen so many recently - I got called again - it's HUGE and when I went and looked it was a stag bettle not a ladybird at all but as it was bug like he associated it as the same thing. I wish I had gone the first time instead of when it had almost left the garden.

[mom kuhn]

you are wise beyond your years! most moms don't figure that out until they are like me - grandmas!

[Carrie]

little eyes see so much! This is a beautiful reminder that our children are here to teach us as much as we are to teach them. Don't forget to have real compassion on yourself as you look back on that "missed" moment. It was a missed moment to teach your daughter but it really made you think and now you are teaching so many more because of it. Way to go and Happy Spring!