Friendly Reminders
Elf and Giant are in a phase where they would prefer to pass on flushing the toilet once they’ve used it. Like most moms out there, I strive to teach my children socially acceptable ways of behaving in the world so that others won’t need to step in and do the work for me. My list of subjects to cover is lengthy and it includes bathroom manners…and (sigh) flushing.
Being the proactive mom that I am, I created a pretty reminder sign with my clip art and hung it right up at the toilet. It reads: Flush Me! I gently explained the social courtesy of flushing. And I provide “friendly reminders,” as I like to call them. Typically I like to keep things simple, so my version of a friendly reminder is to wear a big smile and say, “Don’t forget to flush” as Elf or Giant run like lightning out from the bathroom in an effort to get away before my words get to their ears. Other times, I sing the word, “Flush.”
Following one my reminders yesterday, I was surprised when Giant turned to me, hands on his hips and announced that I was being mean to him. Huh!? So I asked him what a friendly reminder is supposed to sound like. He explained that it should be soft and have more words. Interesting, I thought to myself. Yet I have to admit it that I probably rolled my eyes just the littlest bit when he said it. Sarcastically, I was thinking to myself, “Now dear, would you like that request made to the tune of a Neil Diamond song or is John Denver more your style today?”
But then I caught myself and reconsidered his words because I learned a long time ago that Elf and Giant have a way of teaching me important lessons. I asked him to say a friendly reminder to flush the toilet the way he’d like to hear it. And you know what? He delivered a flawless Frank Sinatra-esque request that was as smooth as moonlight on a calm lake. He was right. Man, it did sound better. And it’s sounded better every time I’ve said it since. Giant and I both smile and then he goes and does what I’ve wanted him to do all along: Flush the toilet.
Our little teachers continue to share their lessons. Recently Elf explained to her Daddy that she had continued to do what she wanted to do despite his asking her to do the opposite explaining to him that her ears had been too busy to hear him properly.
Sometimes we give gentle reminders to our children but other times, our children give us reminders in their own ways. How many times are our own ears too busy to hear what another wants to share with us? And how simple it is to stop and really listen and speak with our hearts.
Here’s to the words that we speak every day. May they be spoken in love and with a gentle tone. And may they be heard that way, too.
Oh, and here’s to lots of happy flushed potties at The Little Yellow House.
Thorough hand washing is another matter…
Photo source: http://www.featurepics.com/online/Daughter-Mother-928722.aspx
