This morning all three children were jumping onto our big beanbag from the stepstool. Laurel has recently learned how to jump, and happily falls into the bag while mom looks away and pretends not to be afraid. Her new skill has caused some tension, though. She’s slow, and it’s hard for the older children to wait for her.
After I watched Bethel push past Laurel, and then both David and Bethel “helping” Laurel jump, I stopped them and told them they had to be patient with Laurel. I said, “Love is patient.”
After they all had a turn, again Bethel started to push ahead of Laurel. This time (inspiration) I asked her, “Love is… what?” Bethel looked at me blankly. It’s a good thing I asked, because lecture mode didn’t seem to sink in. I told her the answer and asked the same question again. By this time, Laurel had jumped.
The next round, again Bethel had a hard time waiting. I asked her again how love behaves, and she answered “Love is patient” as she danced a jig around the stool.
For about ten minutes, we kept reminding them that patience is one way to show love to their siblings.
Now I just have to remember that love is patient, when they’re moving at a snail’s pace,
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