Way back when, when the full size was less than three months old, I signed up for a mommy and me program. It turned out this program offered parenting classes, parent participation preschool, and even a kindergarten program. I met some of my dearest friends through the program and all three boys went through it.
In preschool the boys had a phenomenal teacher by the name of Miss Cheri. If there was ever a woman born to a task, it is Cheri. She was born to teach preschool, that simple. She has a gift with children like none I have ever seen and every single parent who crosses her path benefits. I once heard a story of Cheri at Disneyland. She was in line in front of a mom and her child. The child was whining about needing to use the bathroom. The mom wasn’t hearing it and told the child that if she didn’t stop whining they were leaving the park and going home. After about ten minutes of this Cheri couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned around, looked at the mom, and said “you know you aren’t going to leave the park, so stop threatening and take her to the bathroom while I hold your place in line.” Problem solved.
Cheri has endless patience with this kids, she told me that when she finds herself bothered by a child’s personality or behavior it makes her want to give more to that child. What a beautiful thought. What a thought to carry throughout life. Cheri’s patience is a huge asset because she stresses children beginning to learn a bit of independence. She always lets them try to do things for themselves and succeed or fail, she is there to cheer them on. One area I have been able to work this into my own parenting is taking responsibility for mistakes. When they spill, I adopt my best, gentlest, quietest Miss Cheri voice and say, it’s alright, just own it and fix it.”
Yesterday I noticed the economy-size walking through the kitchen with a determined look on his face. He climbed up on the counter and pulled down some paper towels. I watched a little longer before asking “What are you doing?” He had spilled a glass of water on the floor. His answer to my question? “I’m owning it and fixing it.”
Thank you Cheri.
