Spending the weekend with my 2 year old grandson is such a fantastic opportunity to truly see life from a different perspective. What we would think of as work, they see as fun. If an adult is doing it, they want to do it too. We may view it as just another chore - they see it as another new toy or exciting new event. My grandson has a way of teaching me things every time I am with him. For example, yesterday was a very busy day for us. We had so much to do. We had to wash the car, clean up the yard, rake, trim bushes, walk the dog, go shopping and make dinner. Of course, I saw it as my chore list. My grandson saw it as a great day filled with fun.
At the end of the day when we talked about what he did, however, his list was not the same as mine. Insted of viewing the car washing as a job, he saw it as a fun way to follow his grandparents with a sponge and dip it in the water to splash on the car. He loved dunking his arm into the bucket of soapy water and using the sponge to help clean the lights, windows and tires. He took so much delight in wiping off the accumulated dirt then putting more soap on to get the car clean. He took his job very seriously but always with a smile!
Then we had to rake the yard. He loved making little pile of sticks and wind blow branches. Once he had a pile he would line them up in a row and count them. Then off to make a new pile. He examined all the contents of the pile as he raked as he was amazed at every new object. His face would light up as he would discover pinecones, rocks and pine needles.
Next we had to trim the bushes. This was more fun than an amusement ride because he could pull the branches out and whisk them into the can or pile. He thought it was the greatest thing in the world to be able to take those big branches and sit on them as I pulled him around or pull them to the pile with the others and make a huge chair of branches. Such trudgery for us - but to a little two year old - pure enjoyment.
Even walking the dog took on a whole new joy as we watched him take responsibility for walking the dog only to be distracted by another dog, cat, squirrel or puddle of water. He laughed and talked during the whole walk never once complaining about the dog pulling one way or the other.
Next off to the grocery store. Finding an unattended "car cart", we were off on another adventure as he turned the steering wheel of his car (on the front of my shopping cart) so we could manuver down the aisles. Whoever thought of this idea was a genius. My grandson thinks shopping is the greatest thing in the world. He doesn't ask for anything, even though all the goodies are at his level, because he is too busy making sure he doesn't crash and turns the wheel to get out of someones way.
Finally, dinner time has arrived. Cooking is another simple task for this 2 year old. He simply takes the cooking spoon and magically whips up a pumpkin pie or whatever his choice of food would be that he just prepared in his pot. Imagination works very well with cooking, even if you don't have all the right ingredients.
I loved my day with my grandson and I look forward to so many more. He taught me about life. It's not what you do, it's how you do it and how you look at the work. Looking at the work from his perspective gave me so much joy that I never felt like I was working at all. All chores completed and all the time I spent with him was so special. I'm so excited to do it again soon.
At the end of the day when we talked about what he did, however, his list was not the same as mine. Insted of viewing the car washing as a job, he saw it as a fun way to follow his grandparents with a sponge and dip it in the water to splash on the car. He loved dunking his arm into the bucket of soapy water and using the sponge to help clean the lights, windows and tires. He took so much delight in wiping off the accumulated dirt then putting more soap on to get the car clean. He took his job very seriously but always with a smile!
Then we had to rake the yard. He loved making little pile of sticks and wind blow branches. Once he had a pile he would line them up in a row and count them. Then off to make a new pile. He examined all the contents of the pile as he raked as he was amazed at every new object. His face would light up as he would discover pinecones, rocks and pine needles.
Next we had to trim the bushes. This was more fun than an amusement ride because he could pull the branches out and whisk them into the can or pile. He thought it was the greatest thing in the world to be able to take those big branches and sit on them as I pulled him around or pull them to the pile with the others and make a huge chair of branches. Such trudgery for us - but to a little two year old - pure enjoyment.
Even walking the dog took on a whole new joy as we watched him take responsibility for walking the dog only to be distracted by another dog, cat, squirrel or puddle of water. He laughed and talked during the whole walk never once complaining about the dog pulling one way or the other.
Next off to the grocery store. Finding an unattended "car cart", we were off on another adventure as he turned the steering wheel of his car (on the front of my shopping cart) so we could manuver down the aisles. Whoever thought of this idea was a genius. My grandson thinks shopping is the greatest thing in the world. He doesn't ask for anything, even though all the goodies are at his level, because he is too busy making sure he doesn't crash and turns the wheel to get out of someones way.
Finally, dinner time has arrived. Cooking is another simple task for this 2 year old. He simply takes the cooking spoon and magically whips up a pumpkin pie or whatever his choice of food would be that he just prepared in his pot. Imagination works very well with cooking, even if you don't have all the right ingredients.
I loved my day with my grandson and I look forward to so many more. He taught me about life. It's not what you do, it's how you do it and how you look at the work. Looking at the work from his perspective gave me so much joy that I never felt like I was working at all. All chores completed and all the time I spent with him was so special. I'm so excited to do it again soon.
1 comment:
Well, Mama, I have to admit your day sounds like it was wonderful! My curious nephew sounds like he kept you quite busy and I'm willing to bet you both slept like babies at the end of the day. I miss you guys and can't wait to do chores with you two!
xoxo
Post a Comment