When I try to take a picture of my son, you’d think he was Harry Styles and I was the paparazzi. He’ll put his hand up and say, “No pictures!”
Or, like he did at Thanksgiving (EXHIBIT A below – see empty chair!), he’ll duck just as I’m trying to take a picture.
He loves one on one attention at home, but with big groups, he’s not the kid who wants to be the center of attention.
The Question I Wasn’t Expecting
Which makes what happened this week all the more unique.
His teacher was having a Polar Express day for the kids – pj’s, special stuffy and a blanket.
When I reminded him to pick a stuffed animal, he asked, “Can I bring Teddy?”
I knew immediately what he was talking about – our big Vermont Teddy Bear Company bear that his aunt gave him.
I paused and thought to myself, ‘I don’t really have a reason to say no’. This is when “Pause Parenting” comes into play. For some reason, my instinct was to say, ‘No’, but why, when I can say, ‘Yes’ and bring so much joy?
Julie Kelley, Truly Jude Creative
(Here’s what else made me PAUSE – Favorite Social Media Posts – there are lots of good life lessons out there!)
What Happens When You Pause
In that pause, here’s what I asked myself:
Will it harm anyone? Is it impossible to get it to school? Does it matter that he has the biggest bear?
After a quick series of “no” answers in my head, I said, “YES!”
He was thrilled!
And as I dropped him off at school, I was so happy that I had not done the quick reaction NO, but rather said YES.
