My Eight Year Old Role Model

Wee One (WO) has this openness and generosity, inclusion, that is a model for me to follow.

We were out with friends, including a boy her age, who was sitting on his tablet and wouldn’t let Evie watch with him. I had some very unkind thoughts. (I know; I need to chill. I had no chill that day.)

I could tell she was bothered about him ignoring her, and I told her her feelings were valid and she was managing them well. We snuggled a bit. Later, when I showed WO something funny on my phone, he asked to see, too.

Ooh, did I want revenge; maybe even make a pointed statement – Mommy’s that petty. Not my precious bug, though, that didn’t even occur to her. She was happy to share with him, just because she could. She had something joyful to give, and she did.

That is a generosity I need to have, and she does it so easily. That same day, she spent her own money to buy a big rice crispy treat for herself. She had saved her allowance and was so proud to enjoy the whole thing.

Later, she asked me if she could buy the rest of us a rice crispy treat for us to share. Use her own money to buy us a treat, to share something joyful, just because she could.

Upon reflection, I realized I never think about sharing some thing, joyful, or doing some thing just because I can’t, at least not for other people. (Except for her.) but this is the kind of generosity. I would like to cultivate in my life. My eight year old is an inspiration.