WWMSD?
So what’s the favorite show at your house? Is it a kid show or a grown up show? Well the most beloved show at the Little Yellow House happens to be a kid show. About bugs. Lots of bugs. Don’t advertise this too loudly, but I happen to really like this show, maybe even more than the kids do.
Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends is a cartoon adaption of the children’s books written by David Kirk. Episodes chronicle the daily adventures, lessons, pitfalls and experiences of an eternally gentle, kind-hearted Miss Spider and her family members and friends living in the land known as “Sunny Patch.”
After watching probably every episode ever made, I think that Miss Spider’s picture should be printed next to the dictionary definition of “Mom.” She is warm-hearted. She is calm, positive and nurturing. She is extremely generous and has big brown eyes. Thanks to Kristen Davis (remember Charlotte from Sex in the City?), you’ve got Miss Spider’s velvety voice in an instant.
Instead of eating other insects like most Spiders, she serves vegetarian meals for her family. This is a Momma who does Tai Chi. She goes out on dates with her husband, Holley. This is one cool yellow arachnid and I simply adore her.
For Miss Spider, motherhood is what she does best. She works at keeping the balance between nurturing her children and disciplining them all the while making it look easy. She is a peacemaker, but she’s not a push-over either. She uses incentive charts. She orders her bickering children to the “stump” where they have to stay until they work out their differences. She also admits her mistakes and takes corrective action. She is kindness in motion.
It’s odd to admit this, but there are times when Miss Spider pops into my head during the day. Her voice and demeanor calm me when I watch the show and in turn, I diligently try to emulate that calmness for my children.
And that’s when I remember that Miss Spider has 8 legs, that her husband is available at all hours of the day, that she has a friendly downstairs neighbor who is eager to bug-sit at a moment’s notice. Oh, and that she’s a cartoon character who doesn’t have bills to pay or grocery shopping to do. Of course she can be calm and organized all day long!
Yes, my challenges are greater. However, I can still remember how Miss Spider’s voice sounds and the way that she looks upon her fictitious children. I might even stop to think, “What would Miss Spider do?” I know she’s a cartoon character, but the fact is I feel good watching Miss Spider mother her children. I like the calm that she brings to every situation – even fires. The organization that that calmness provides serves as a foundation to everything – from emotional regulation to problem solving.
I like Miss Spider’s character and the way she spins peace into every interaction she has. Like so many of us hard at work parenting our own children, I strive to weave peace into our own daily story here at the Little Yellow House.
Little yellow spiders are always welcome here.
Photo source: Courtesy:
http://wallpapers.free-review.net/18__Miss_Spider.htm
One Response to 'WWMSD?'
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Still loving Little Miss Spider!
Chris
18 Sep 10 at 11:48 am