jim
06-30-2006, 03:15 PM
When my oldest son was about 2 or 3 I let him help me clean out my car. He would take a handful of trash and take it to the garbage can and return for some more.
About his 3rd trip he suddenly stops about half way and comes running back. At first I thought something was wrong as he put down his load next to the car but then he looks at me and says:
"Dad. I know you love me because you let me help." Which he then follows up with a big hug and with a big smile on his face he went back to helping.
I originally had let him help me because it needed done and I wanted to spend some time with him. It wasn't until he said that to me that I fully realized how important it was to him that I let him participate in an activity with me.
For him it wasn't about getting a chore done. For him it was about being trusted to help do a "big person's job" and about the love he was shown by participating.
About his 3rd trip he suddenly stops about half way and comes running back. At first I thought something was wrong as he put down his load next to the car but then he looks at me and says:
"Dad. I know you love me because you let me help." Which he then follows up with a big hug and with a big smile on his face he went back to helping.
I originally had let him help me because it needed done and I wanted to spend some time with him. It wasn't until he said that to me that I fully realized how important it was to him that I let him participate in an activity with me.
For him it wasn't about getting a chore done. For him it was about being trusted to help do a "big person's job" and about the love he was shown by participating.