I think sometimes I am too rough on my boy. He is two and a half years old and pretty amazing – if I say so myself. – My desire is that he will become a conscientious young man, confident and discerning enough to make wise choices.
At the playground sometimes, he throws toys or wood chips when he is very excited, and sometimes he gives hugs and kisses until both kids lose their balance and fall.
The other day, while riding his bike, he chased a kid and wanted to run into him, after I stopped him and said this is not okay, he did it again to another kid, laughing like it was so fun. – I took the bike away, and he cried and rebelled, yet he continued playing without a bike.
He is still a baby and there is no malice in his actions. He is simply trying to express his enthusiasm while experiencing life. –Quite mortifying for mommy when suddenly another kid begins to cry around him.
A while later, he was playing roughly again, so we left the playground.
Knowing he has a ton of energy to burn, we walked to the skate park so he could ride his bike freely. — There he goes, my amazing toddler, launching off the ramps like a boss. Making mommy so very, very proud.
I realize that he is, as we all are, simply having a human experience, and life is a series of learning events. — We are complex individuals, traveling in this physical body, as we decipher the human ways. — Sometimes we do things and we don’t know why, perhaps we act on an impulse, maybe for curiosity or experimentation, and sometimes for no reason whatsoever.
How else are we to learn?
The other day at the store, I was trying on some clothes, and he was playing, waiting, growing restless by the minute, then he climbed on the stroller side of the shopping cart, and fell on his face. – Thankfully he was not injured, just scared.
I decided it was time to leave – without buying any of the gazillion clothes I just tried. – Oh well, it was almost nap time anyway.
When we get in the car, I realize he is missing a shoe – I run back inside – someone found it and turned it in. – Thank you!
We leave, we can still make naptime, and one block away from home, I realize my phone is NOT there. – Shucks! We head back to the store.
Please, please, let me find my phone! – All kinds of thoughts begin flooding my mind, my baby is asking for a snack, and when he sees my upset, he asks if mommy needs help. – Oh, so sweet!
We arrive at the store, run back inside, look around, and nothing. – Excuse me, did anyone turn in a phone? “Oh yes! Here you go.” – Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you, to the kind stranger who found these items and returned them. This crazy mommy, having a crazy day, wholeheartedly thank you!
While things are replaceable, sometimes we can lose perspective. — It is good to remember that every event, can potentially teach us something.
Ahimsa
Sanskrit word defined as the principle of nonviolence toward all living things – it simply means no harm to self or others.
To practice, ahimsa basically means to be kind. Kind to oneself, kind to everyone, and to everything.
- Perhaps rushing around is not the healthiest way of going about every day. — Maybe slowing down will allow for more peacefulness.
- Perhaps scolding my child when he makes a mistake isn’t the answer. — Maybe taking a deep breath (and counting – backward, in a different language) will yield a more relaxed response.
- Perhaps practicing self-forgiveness for being an inexperienced mom, is indeed a kinder way.
- And perhaps a late nap, or no nap, every once in a while, is okay after all.
❥ Namaste
P.S. If what you read here speaks to you in any way, I invite you to leave a comment below, and to subscribe, so you are notified when a new topic is published.