Quick to forgive

Kids are so quick to forgive. I know I need to learn from that. Every dawdle, whine or disobedience isn't an isolated act. It's one in a long string of offenses that I keep tucked away under my rolling eyeballs.

But I need to learn it because I want my kids to learn forgiveness from me, not unreachable expectations or held grudges. Today I got impatient with Tobey's whining and dawdling that I got a bit angry before nap today (the first time in a while). During my afternoon break, I realized that while nothing I was expecting was wrong, my reaction was uncalled for. When he woke up from nap and was munching on Eli's uneaten pasta, I apologized. I said that I got a bit impatient before nap and I shouldn't have yelled. And I said, "I'm sorry I got impatient." Barely a second later, Tobey said, "Sorry I was whining."

WOW. It was unprompted, unhinted at, and accurate (sometimes he apologizes for a general "not listening" when sometimes that wasn't his offense at all). So I can only conclude that it was heartfelt.

Later Tobey got a time out for throwing books. When I went to get him from the crib, I did a stern talk about needing to learn to stop when he knows he's doing a no-no. I was pretty frustrated at him for blatantly breaking the rules ("No throwing books" and five seconds later, he throws a book). After he said he understood, I was still kind of seething as I reached to lower the crib rail to take him out. And Tobey says, "I need a hug."

WOW 2. I'm still mad, we're supposed to reconcile and move on with life after a time out has been served and yet it's the three year old reminding me the need for the hugs and reconciliation afterward. I'm glad for it because it reminded me to remind him that I always love him, regardless of his behavior.

I'm sure he and Eli will be teaching me these lessons over and over again until I can learn to forgive like a child.