Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Why Being With Kids Is So Darn Difficult (a summer mini-blog)

On arriving home from work, we parked in the disabled spot in the lot. We'd taken the last spot and as we were getting out a woman pulled up beside us. She and her son were looking for a place to park. Joe told her that there was more parking under ground. By the time we got all out and ready to head in, she was back attempting to buy time in the meter. Joe stopped her just before the transaction and told her that the two levels used different machines and she needed to go back down underground to buy the ticket there. He gave her directions to where it was located and we headed in to the building.

One of the elevators is down so it takes a very long time to get one that we can all get on. We'd just got on when the woman appeared again. flustered and upset. She said, 'I'm sorry to bother you but how do I get back downstairs, I can't find the way down. Joe began to explain as the door started to buzz. She said, 'Oh, it's OK, I don't want to be a bother.

My internal language: can we just go home, I'm tired, it was a long day, the time change is getting to me.

My outer language: it's no problem, we don't mind at all.

We got off the elevator, with some effort as it was fighting us to close. I waited inside while Joe and Ruby went to show her where the door was. I know that Joe was thinking what I was thinking, if adults are role models for children, then adults should think about who they want kids to be and THEN BE IT THEMSELVES. We both want Ruby to keep her marvelous thoughtfulness. So, we need to be marvelously thoughtful ourselves. Great. How fun is that? Well, it's not! It's exhausting!

We got into the building and were about to head out ...

but 'Karma sometimes has a quick turnaround' will be my blog post for tomorrow~ I'm being told that I have to stop being on the computer!

2 comments:

Colleen said...

Dear Dave:

You just never know what would have made this woman so confused - something awful might have happened. And you are absolutely right - kids take in so much - we do have to be keenly aware of how we are acting. Can't wait to see the next post!
Colleen

Noisyworld said...

Being a role model is really hard work! Worth it though :)