April 27, 2008...5:03 pm
Cute photo!
Over Easter break, the kids and I went to Lake Erie Metropark’s Marshands Museum and Nature Center. I took this photo of all my babies reading.
Are they all reading these nature and travel magazines that were at the park? Obviously no!
I strongly discourage the phrase “he/she can’t” in our household. Andrew is at the age where he likes to say this a lot, as in ”Maddie can’t read” or “JJ can’t ride a bike”. No, she doesn’t ‘read’ per se, but don’t you dare say she isn’t a reader. She’s a work in progress (my goodness, aren’t we all ??? ) No, Jason doesn’t ’ride’ a bike, but should I yank him off of it or should I allow him to sit on the seat and teeter a bit because he enjoys it?
It reminded me of a saying that I like to use, and a few other moms (shout out to the Angelman Syndrome listserv!) have said they liked it, so what the hay, I’ll post it here. Whether its because a child is young or just not yet able or maybe will never be able, I like to say
“as best you can”
to encourage each child at their own level. “As best you can” is close to the “just right” concept they are using in school. Everyone knows what a genuine effort on their part looks like, what actually doing what you know you are capable of is, and what pushing yourself just a little beyond “safe” feels like.
I ask that of them, and I try to ask that of myself. I’m not supermom, and I shouldn’t aspire to be. “As best you can” is the most anyone should try for.
: )
1 Comment
May 12, 2008 at 2:24 am
I understand this totally. 100%. Thank you for all the inspiration. I for one appreciate every solitary post for us to follow along. Maddie will become my Miss Emma’s mentor.
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