"The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes
The other day, I heard someone quote that old rule, "Children should be seen and not heard" and it kind of surprised me that people are still using that in any way other than jokingly. In my opinion, children should be not only seen, but watched over with love, and listened to with care. We'd all be happier people if we stopped to enjoy the laughter of children more, or sat down with them and really heard what they were saying.
It's been my experience that kids often want to tell us more than they do, but they need to warm up to spilling the bigger stuff. As a mom I've learned (after much lecturing on my part) that the best conversations I've ever had with my son is when I shut my mouth, open my ears and my heart, and let him talk. Kids are so smart, and they know when you're really listening and genuinely want to hear what they have to say. When we open ourselves up to them, they'll open up to us.
So there's one "rule" I've rewritten.
Remember the "Never wear white after Labor Day" rule? Oy! I know Stacy & Clinton say to toss that rule out the window, but it's been so ingrained in me that Labor Day still finds me, year after year, packing away my whites until the first day of summer. I know! I know! I am such a dork!
What are some "rules" you think need to be broken? Or maybe you have some rules you think should NEVER be broken?
I'd love to see your input.
5 comments:
I'm so with you on all of this! We have a preschool class visit at work every Fall for a special snack; some of my coworkers shut their doors and complain about the noise. My son is 19 and he's 6'3" -- I miss little ones, and I think they're adorable! And I can't help but pack up the whites on Labor Day myself. It's hard to have absolutes about rules; my first thought was about marriage being for better or worse, etc. Of course, I say that as someone who's divorced because my ex violated a BIG rule and was unfaithful to me. And anyone in an abusive relationship absolutely needs to save her/himself. This could turn into an afternoon's conversation over coffee and cookies!
Act your age! Hate that rule. I break it daily and hope I continue to do so as I slip into those supposedly golden years of quiet, inactive resignation to deterioration. I may deteriorate, but I won't be quiet.
I hope I'm not acting any age in particular, I hope I can just be me - and usually that's pretty noisy, silly, happy, young.
Mary, I would LOVE to sit over coffee and cookies (especially if they are cookies you've made) and gab all afternoon. :)
Myrna, Hahahaha! I love that you break that rule! I to want to be the "completely inappropriate" old lady if I am so blessed as to make it into my golden years. :)
Stopping by from the LBS. This is a great post. As far as rules...I'm a believer in breaking rules. What popped into my head first was when kids first get Back to School and are asked what they did that summer? I think to spurn creativity, they should be encouraged to write about what they COULD have done over the summer. In their wildest dreams. They went to the moon, they traveled through time, anything!
Wow Michele!!! I ♥♥♥ your idea and could not agree more! If any teachers are reading this, consider doing this. I love the creativity of a child, having not yet been reined in by life experiences.
Thanks for coming by. :)
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