Learning

For most of the summer I worked as the lead teacher in a classroom full of two year olds. They taught me a lot of things.

1. I learned that two year olds are not logical. Telling Nigel that "it is not okay" to jump off of the foam tunnel because we might hurt someone and "our friends are not for hurting" never worked. Three words did the trick..."No, time out."

2. I learned that they are smarter than we think. I was ranting at Kiya one day for disobeying and she kept interrupting me with...
"Ms. Brownie?" (Don't ask why. I don't know.)
"Kiya, it is Ms. Brown's turn to talk."
"Ms. Brownie?"
"What Kiya?" "
"Can I give you a hug?"

3. I learned that two year olds have to learn the same lesson over and over and over and over again. Nigel still jumps off of the tunnel. Terrence still loves to play jump rope with the Fisher-Price drums. Rileigh still tries to take everyones shoes during nap time. And the whole class still uses their "outside voices" inside.

4. I learned that two year olds will stop throwing a temper tantrum if you get on the floor and start screaming with them! Yes, Norris and I threw many tantrums this summer. (In my expert opinion :), what he really needed was a good spanking, but I wasn't allowed to administer corporal punishment, so if you can beat'em join'em.)Norris would stop screaming, look at me like I had grown an extra head, and I would say "It's not that serious, my friend." It was great!

5. I learned that sometimes I can act like a two year old and that sometimes I treat God like He is only two. I give God a "time-out" so to speak when I feel that I've got it all under control. I don't really know where I get the idea that I am smarter than God and that my plan will work out better in the long run. I tend to have to learn the same lessons over and over again. Have you ever thrown a spiritual fit? Telling God at the top of your lungs that life isn't fair and you don't understand what in the world He is up to, when in all reality He owes you no explanation? It's nothing to brag about, but I have.

Learning isn't aways fun, but it is necessary.