The Attraction of Freedom

Larry, the guide, asked the people visiting Independence Hall to tell him our homes. In a group of twenty, four or five of the states were represented. What interested me was that Gambon, Togo, China, Romania, and Brazil were also represented. What caused those young people from other parts of the world to show up at Independence Hall on a Saturday morning? And why were there people of ages from six to seventy there together? (more…)

Posted August 22nd, 2007 in Learning from Children, Observations

Don’t Eat Too Many Potato Chips

Chantal asked,”Who likes potato chips?” Brayden said, “Charles likes potato chips!” When I read an e-mail with this exchange, I replied that I like potato chips too much and will eat too many. When his mother told him, Brayden said, “He better be careful, he’ll get a tummy ache!”

Children know better than adults when they reach their limit. Brayden kept reminding his mother for several days that I should not eat too many potato chips. Our two-year old granddaughter, Olivia, lets her parents know when she is “all done.” Then she doesn’t eat any more.

I was talking to a friend yesterday. He said his grandson had been drinking juice before breakfast, and then would not eat his breakfast. Both my friend and I agreed that we could have a snack just before a meal, and the snack did not affect our ability to eat the full meal.

When did we mess up our “all done” mechanism? Intellectually, I know that eating too many potato chips might cause a tummy ache. I’m taking Brayden’s advice, so I’m learning from this three year old. Thanks, Brayden!

Posted August 30th, 2006 in Learning from Children

You’re the Best, I’ll Keep Ya!

Chantal told me a story about her daughter. “Brionni started crying really loud and hard when I wouldn’t let her watch more TV tonight. She freaked out and couldn’t find her sippy cup. It was a mess. Finally, when she calmed down and got quiet again, I told her I would get her some more. She kissed me and said, ‘You’re the best. I’ll keep ya.’ ”

What criteria do we use to keep something or someone? Do those things and people who meet our needs satisfy something significant, or is it more about satisfying our wants at a particular time?

I hope my criteria for keeping things is different than my criteria for keeping my relationships with people in good condition. When I look at all the stuff I keep, it appears I want to keep lots of things. This may be because these objects may come in handy someday. Why do I want to build and keep relationships with people? Am I serving others or thinking they may serve me in a handy way someday? What Brionni said really makes me think about who and what and how I value.

Posted August 30th, 2006 in Learning from Children