Should 4 year olds be good judges of character? Isaac has a friend, a kid that I have a hard time tolerating. It makes me wonder about the things I might be blind to in my own kids, but seem so glaring in other people’s children. As parents we have the privilege and horror of seeing the best and the worst in our kids. And of course it’s often in the privacy of our home, in a mundane moment that they ooze sweetness or display the kind of openness and generosity that makes me beam just a little. But when we’re out in the world interacting with other children, even family they can come off as greedy, whiney little monsters. It’s embarrassing.
I often have to remind myself to give Isaac some space to express his frustrations and learn the ropes of being a friend, being in a family, being almost 5. It might be a bit much expecting him to always take the high road in social situations – to graciously share when another child wants something of his and ask politely for a turn when it’s the other way around. I wonder if the day will ever come that I don’t have to say annoying, totally parenty things like, “I would like to be asked, not told” or “I’m sorry but I don’t understand shrieking (Libby) or whining (Isaac); please use your regular voice.” Barf!
Oh well, at 5 or 35 we all falter and the great thing is getting another chance to hopefully shine whether anyone is watching or not. And it occurs to me that it probably isn’t character kids look for in a playmate and I don’t have to worry that Isaac is subconsciously taking detailed how-to notes from this rascal of a kid but just likes having a buddy to play trains with (until the trains start flying down the stairs that is).
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