How Many People Live in This House?????

Seriously, how many shoes does one family need? And why can't we put them in our designated cubby? This mudroom is favorite room in the house. It lets me put my need to organize into practice - or, at least it used to. And, yes, we are ALL guilty.

It's Happening

I experienced my first moment of heart break from peers ridiculing Adeline.

We were at a park with kids from Lila's preschool class.  Adeline knows these kiddos pretty well because I am very good friends with their mom.  While at the park, all of the kids hopped on the merry-go-round.  Adeline and Lila were enjoying letting the boys push the merry-go-round faster and faster.  Before I knew it, I saw the girls taking turns with pushing.  I wasn't standing close enough to hear what was going on but everyone looked happy from a distance. 

I walked over to the merry-go-round because it was time to pack the twins up and leave.  Oddly, all five children were standing off the merry-go-round while holding tight to handles.  It looked strange but I thought nothing of it.  As I approached, one of the boys asked me to tell Adeline that she couldn't push.  He followed that up by, "She runs too slow and can't push very hard.  She needs to get back on."  My heart sank.  This four year old boy identified Adeline's weaknesses.  While he could send the merry-go-round spinning, Adeline could barely get it moving.  The other children had no patience for this.  They all ended up commenting about her inability to some degree. 

While my heart broke, Adeline's did not.  She did what she always does and STOOD her ground.  The reason all the kids were off the merry-go-round was because Adeline wasn't going to get back on and, for that matter, wouldn't let go of the handles.  It was her turn to push, and by golly, she was going push!  Luckily, these children know Adeline well and like her which kept them from sending the ride sailing around while she was still holding on to the handles.  As long as she stood there holding on, the ride wasn't going anywhere.  Instead, everyone was looking across the merry-go-round in a standoff like fashion -waiting for Adeline to let go so someone else could push.  Like it or not, it was Adeline's turn and they better sit their bottoms down and let her take them for a very slow spin. 

Adeline wasn't hurt or mad, she was just determined.  This would probably result in hurt feelings if she were older.  Luckily, she is still three.  I walked away with the broken heart and Adeline walked away "on top."  She stood her ground, didn't let the children tell her what to do, and, quite frankly, doesn't care if she is the slowest pusher.  It was her turn to push and if they weren't going to let her push, then no one was going to get to.  

My friend and I gathered up our children and sent them to the cars.  Neither one of us knew exactly how to handle the situation.  I mentioned to one of the boys that Adeline can't run any faster and that everyone is different.  Probably not my choice explination.  I will do better next time.  My friend asked me what to say to her kids.  I didn't have an answer.  How much to do you talk about differences when they are very obvious and out of the ordinary?  It isn't like blue eyes and brown eyes.  All of these kids, including Lila, could run fast enough to send the merry-go-round flying.  Adeline can't.  She is different.  How do you explain that to three and four year olds?  They see it but don't understand why Adeline can't do these things.  I am pretty sure Adeline doesn't get it but she sees that she can't do what Lila and other three years can do.   

Here is what I do know.  God gave her the perfect personality.  Never have I seen a child with such determination and ability to persevere.  Adeline may be a quite spirit but she is also a strong one!  I am the one that could use a little of that strength as we embark upon this new road.