Who Cares

We had our first melt down of the year during our spelling lesson three days ago.( Just to clarify, it was not the first melt down of the year, but the first one during a spelling lesson.) Normally my children are beaming and stay cheerfully occupied the entire lesson and beyond. I know that sounds strange with a subject like spelling, but we use a fun program and I try to change it up enough to keep it engaging. So I was completely caught off guard when my nine year old daughter dug in her heals after reviewing the first two words! Oh boy....I really didn't have the energy for a pep talk. I was desperately trying to remind myself of the words I have said over and over again to other moms. "It is ALL education. The conflict. The spelling lesson. The communication learned through it all." So I stopped. I really didn't want to take the time, but I did.

"Oh Lord, give me the patience. Please draw her out of this emotional mess," I prayed. Then I asked why she was so upset? How could two misspelled words put her into such a funk? She mumbled something about her six year old sister doing better than her and that she must be behind in spelling. So I told her what any loving parent would tell their child. I told her that there are MANY kids that are better than her...and I let it sink for effect. Just as the whole world was about to crash down on her I told her that there were MANY people that were better than me at spelling. Her eyes bugged out in disbelief! Yes I know it is hard to believe, but it is true. And I added, there are MANY people who are better at fixing their cars than me and many who are better cooks then me...WHO CARES?  Who cares if someone can program computers better than me? Who cares if I am able to garden better than someone who is better with balancing a budget? Who cares?

I told my sweet daughter that I really didn't care how good she was at spelling. All I wanted was her best. She is not supposed to be good in all subjects. I do not expect her to be good at everything. God made us that way so we would all excel in different ways, in different things. She will naturally excel in the areas she is gifted in and will have to work harder on the rest. But, as long as she is challenged and doing her best, I DON'T CARE about the level she is in.

She was now smiling and ready to continue the lesson. The pressure of perfection was lifted and she was free. Free to try, to make mistakes, and learn without the weight she had carried before. Before we continued with the lesson she smiled and said, "You should write a blog about this and title it, 'Who Cares.'" So I did.

*The content for this blog was read and approved by my daughter. Her permission is given to share this information with anyone who will be encouraged by it.