i was disappointed in first-born. then i was disappointed more with myself.
first-born tend to forget things in school. and yesterday was no exception. he forgot his bag containing his swimming gear, his rubber shoes included.
i had a heart-to-heart talk with him once. i even scolded him before. and asked him to squat for a few minutes hoping he would learn from his mistakes.
but no to avail.
then i realized that i disappoint him as well. i was never helpful. learned that i was not supportive of him. I AM antagonizing him.
so we have this chart– his “i remind myself” chart.
i asked first-born to list down all the things he forgot in school with high hopes that the listing will help him remember that he will look for them once in school. the poster is posted just beside our free wall.
i labeled it “things I lost.” sounded too harsh. then replaced it with “things i will find.“
i read in a book that i have to be patient. real patient, for it will take about three weeks for the brain to switch from an old habit of forgetting to a new act of finding — or maybe, should put there instead REMEMBERING.
and this mother should also change her thinking FROM hoping that her child would find his lost things TO understanding him instead. i tend to forget things myself as well.
