During a recent drive home from the clinic with my second daughter, Ngozi, I experienced a wonderfully rewarding parenting moment. We had visited the doctor to investigate why she had thrown up a couple of times yesterday morning. Because she was feeling sick, I permitted her to ride in the front seat, which is something I normally would not allow.
She fell asleep as I was driving, but she opened her eyes suddenly when my phone started ringing. I wanted to see who was trying to reach me, but the device was inside my handbag. Realizing my bag was in the back seat, I began glancing around to locate it.
Noticing that I was preparing to answer the phone, Ngozi spoke up and told me, "Mummy don't take calls while driving."
Her comment left me shocked, but it also made me incredibly happy. I have always been the one teaching them important safety habits, giving them instructions such as, "Don't distract anyone who is driving," "Don't tap mummy for a gist when she is driving, just say what you want," and, "It is risky to distract anyone who is driving." While I could not actually remember telling her that taking calls behind the wheel was a bad idea, I was delighted by her response.
My kids are highly self-aware, and they never take instructions lightly. It brings me so much gladness that they feel empowered to correct me on the occasions I try to break my own rules.
A huge shout out goes to all the parents who are raising kids that are self-aware. You guys are the real MVPs.
She fell asleep as I was driving, but she opened her eyes suddenly when my phone started ringing. I wanted to see who was trying to reach me, but the device was inside my handbag. Realizing my bag was in the back seat, I began glancing around to locate it.
Noticing that I was preparing to answer the phone, Ngozi spoke up and told me, "Mummy don't take calls while driving."
Her comment left me shocked, but it also made me incredibly happy. I have always been the one teaching them important safety habits, giving them instructions such as, "Don't distract anyone who is driving," "Don't tap mummy for a gist when she is driving, just say what you want," and, "It is risky to distract anyone who is driving." While I could not actually remember telling her that taking calls behind the wheel was a bad idea, I was delighted by her response.
My kids are highly self-aware, and they never take instructions lightly. It brings me so much gladness that they feel empowered to correct me on the occasions I try to break my own rules.
A huge shout out goes to all the parents who are raising kids that are self-aware. You guys are the real MVPs.