A Piece of String
Jeff has his brilliant moments. Often he will come up with little demonstrations to get a certain point across to the kids, and he does it in a way that I wold never have thought of, but which makes perfect sense.
Such an occurrence happened this morning. We've had reoccurring issues with bossiness and aggression in our household. Usually Vika is bossy to Eamon, and he reacts aggressively. After repeated instances of this yesterday, and Jeff and I (unsuccessfully) instructing the kids to solve their problems in a nicer way, we finally decided that a family meeting was called for.
Once the breakfast dishes were cleared, Jeff began telling the kids about how some people "push" to try to get what they want, and others "pull." What we have been seeing in our house is Vika pushing Eamon with angry words and body language, and Eamon pushing back with angry words and physical contact. Jeff and I both explained how when you "push" at something or someone, you are making it go farther away from you. Then Jeff talked about gently pulling to get what you want. By using kind words and smiles, you can bring people closer to you. I made a comment about honey attracting more bees than vinegar, which earned me blank stares from both Vika and Eamon. Jeff rolled his eyes and then pulled the kids' attention back to him with a simple piece of string.
"Watch" he said, as he laid it out on the table in a nice straight line. As Vika and Eamon looked on, riveted, he demonstrated what happens when you try to "push" something to do what you want. He pushed the string with his finger, and it crumpled up on itself, moving farther away in an untidy mess. Then he said, "But look what happens when you pull gently." Jeff grabbed the end of the string, and gently pulled it towards him. It moved in a straight line, going whichever direction he wanted it to take. The kids ooooohh'd and aaahhhh'd at this, seeing in a whole new way what we've been trying to tell them for years.
Not to be completely outdone, I asked, "Papa, what happens if you pull the string hard, instead of gently?" Vika and Eamon turned back to watch as Jeff jerked on the string, making it crumple up again and fall half off the table. "The key," I added, "is to pull gently." Jeff gave Vix and Eames their own piece of string to play with (much to their delight), and they experimented with pulling and pushing their twine for a few minutes.
As we left today to go on a hike, I noticed that Vika had her piece of string tied to her belt loop and Eamon carried his in his pants pocket. Maybe this demonstration made a bigger impression that I thought? Hopefully Jeff's lesson is something that will stick with them for a while and maybe even encourage them to change their pushy ways.
Such an occurrence happened this morning. We've had reoccurring issues with bossiness and aggression in our household. Usually Vika is bossy to Eamon, and he reacts aggressively. After repeated instances of this yesterday, and Jeff and I (unsuccessfully) instructing the kids to solve their problems in a nicer way, we finally decided that a family meeting was called for.
Once the breakfast dishes were cleared, Jeff began telling the kids about how some people "push" to try to get what they want, and others "pull." What we have been seeing in our house is Vika pushing Eamon with angry words and body language, and Eamon pushing back with angry words and physical contact. Jeff and I both explained how when you "push" at something or someone, you are making it go farther away from you. Then Jeff talked about gently pulling to get what you want. By using kind words and smiles, you can bring people closer to you. I made a comment about honey attracting more bees than vinegar, which earned me blank stares from both Vika and Eamon. Jeff rolled his eyes and then pulled the kids' attention back to him with a simple piece of string.
"Watch" he said, as he laid it out on the table in a nice straight line. As Vika and Eamon looked on, riveted, he demonstrated what happens when you try to "push" something to do what you want. He pushed the string with his finger, and it crumpled up on itself, moving farther away in an untidy mess. Then he said, "But look what happens when you pull gently." Jeff grabbed the end of the string, and gently pulled it towards him. It moved in a straight line, going whichever direction he wanted it to take. The kids ooooohh'd and aaahhhh'd at this, seeing in a whole new way what we've been trying to tell them for years.
Not to be completely outdone, I asked, "Papa, what happens if you pull the string hard, instead of gently?" Vika and Eamon turned back to watch as Jeff jerked on the string, making it crumple up again and fall half off the table. "The key," I added, "is to pull gently." Jeff gave Vix and Eames their own piece of string to play with (much to their delight), and they experimented with pulling and pushing their twine for a few minutes.
As we left today to go on a hike, I noticed that Vika had her piece of string tied to her belt loop and Eamon carried his in his pants pocket. Maybe this demonstration made a bigger impression that I thought? Hopefully Jeff's lesson is something that will stick with them for a while and maybe even encourage them to change their pushy ways.
Yes, good old Jeff certainly does have his moments. He told me the story earlier and I was totally impressed that he just happened to have two short pieces of string available. I guess that "I might need this some day" mentality pays off every now and then, eh?
That IS very bright!
Also, the physical reminder of the string is genius. Have them tie those babies to their arms like red kabbalah threads or something as a constant reminder of this brilliant point. lol.
That's a story we can all learn from!
Clever man, your hubs.
He'd be a great esl teacher. ;>
I could use Jeff around here sometimes, it seems! That's a great lesson-one I may use myself!
I will have to keep that demonstration in my back pocket for when my kids can understand it. Kudos to your hubby