Think Less, Live More

Homework days are eventful with my son.  We have to warm-up… find the right pencils, have a snack, get something to drink, and then tackle the homework packet.  Each packet contains a letter page.  He has to write the designated letter, draw a picture, and spell a few words that begin with that letter. 

Last week, we had two letter sheets in one packet.  My son went spastic.  “Mom, I can’t do a “D” sheet and a “K” sheet.   It was too much for him.  His little brain couldn’t comprehend why there would be more added to his plate. 

It got me thinking about how we adults do it.  Everyday, we get extra “homework” added to our plates.  But, how do we voice our opinion?  We don’t, usually, and I think this suppression is unhealthy. 

My son doesn’t have these learned behaviors.  He didn’t have any qualms about voicing his belligerent point of view about the extra “K” sheet.  “Nope.  I’m not doing it,” he proclaimed and crossed his arms. 

But, when we get extras added to our plate, we silently acquiesce, thinking it is our shortcoming that we feel negativity toward extra tasks.  Well, if a slightly spoiled six year old can feel affronted about an extra homework sheet, I think we overworked moms with plates spilling over with never ending “to do” lists can voice our opinions once in while.  In fact, I think we need to introduce a new word into our vocabulary – “delegate.”  Yes, someone else may not do the job as well as we could, but they have to learn sometime, and who better to teach them?! 

I feel trapped by tasks that are calling my name.  How did they learn my name, I have to wonder?  But, it is my own sense of liability.  I make them too important and persecute myself if the list is not accomplished. 

But not my son.  He knew the rules, had learned the ritual, and promptly contested what he thought was an unfair “K” sheet.  Yes, he’s spoiled, but he also knows his value…sometimes too much.  He knew this was out of the ordinary and wanted an explanation good enough to warrant his extra devotion to this week’s homework. 

I patiently explained what I thought the teacher was thinking.  He looked dubious and unmoved. 

But, when that homework came home graded I saw those evenly spaced capital “K”s on his sheet and couldn’t help but ask how he got them done. 

He shrugged casually and seemed to have forgotten.  He found a way and didn’t seem any worse for the wear.

“Wow…” I marveled.  If only we moms could be more like our purist children.  We go through hell and back to get things accomplished to meet certain expectations and they go unnoticed.  Yet, here sits my son, chomping on a banana and he doesn’t remember how he got the homework completed.  He makes it look so easy!  A valuable lesson can be learned here… Maybe we need to live more for the moment and not for the expectations…what we think will be the moment.  Think less and live more… Hmmm… now that’s a thought!