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What I have learned from my kids...

Working with kids everyday even if they are your own or the ones you teach, we, without thinking we are, learn a lot from them.

When my son had a fit yesterday because I took his Dinosaur pillowcase so we can put it through the wash , together with an article I read by a friend of mine, it suddenly hit me:

How much have I truly learned from my kids.

A bit about me:

I have three lovely kids of my own who I adore and would give anything for. Together with the 7 years of kids that have crossed my path while teaching. I have absolutely no patience at all, but that has changed over the years.

My three kids, found them in the cupboard hiding from me, was a great big laugh after I found them.

Yeah, OK! I haven't been teaching for 10+ years, but I have certainly learned a lot.

What I have learned?

I have learned to have patience:

• When your kids are telling you a story for the 110th time
• When your son sits on the toilet for 30 mins reading a dinosaur book, because in his mind that is the only place where he will get some peace of mind from his sisters. This drives me crazy some days.
  
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• When listening to my two year old, speaking a form of chinese at this age, and trying to figure out what she is telling me.
• When all 40 of the kids in your class wants to tell you something that they think is very important. (Usually when it is break, and you are in a rush to make some copies, go to the bathroom, drink a cup of coffee and talk to your Head of Department about an important issue.)

I have learned to listen...

• To my kids when they are sad but also when they are happy, because in these times you get to know them a lot better.
• To the hearts of the children in my classes. In afrikaans we have a saying "Uit die mond van die suigeling", translated this is "From the words of the small children." Through their words we have been able to address a lot of issues for these children, from abuse to bullying etc.

I have learned to share...

• My last little piece of chocolate, I have put away, to enjoy when the rest are busy. But we all know kids can smell a sweets a mile away.
• My water since my kids are always thirsty, but we would rather they drink water than sugary drinks.
• My stationary. Children can have a full collection of stationary, but 5 minutes later, the "Stationary monster" has taken all of it.
  
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I have learned that...

• Water, some love and a lot of plasters can fix 99% off all the "ouchies" the kids get while playing, even the 9 year olds.
  
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• The world comes to an end when you have to wash your son's Dinosaur pillow. ***(I made this pillow for him when we moved him from his cot to his bed. He is very attached to this pillow, has to go everywhere with him.
• Your kids love you unconditionally even though you are sometimes angry at them.
• Food colorings and some types of food can really make a kid hyper, especially red, green and orange drinks. These are my sons' nemesis.
  
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• They will love fruit and vegetables if you give it to them in the place of sweets.
• They do not need sweets, but they do need your attention and love.
• They don't need the most expensive gifts you can get.
  Most of the time a hug, your love and your attention will go a long way.
  
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But most of all

1. I have learned to ask for help when I cannot do something.
2. I have learned to be dependent and not carry all the burdens on my own.
3. I have learned to be thankful for everything I have and have received.
4. I have learned to love unconditionally.
   
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5. I have learned to open my heart and mind and help others any way I can.
6. I have learned to listen to kids, because 99% of the time they are the true reflection of what is going on in their houses.

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