One of the more interesting aspects of being a parent, for me, is discovering when my son takes an approach to something I never would have imagined, especially when it’s the exact opposite of what I would have done.
Today, for example, he wanted to play with his building blocks, so he upended the storage bucket onto the floor in a rattling cascade of plastic. Later, as I was making supper, I wanted to give him a task that would keep him engaged and in sight. I had already cut up a crown of broccoli, so I handed him the vegetable steamer and a bowl full of broccoli, and asked him to put the broccoli in the steamer. He carefully picked up one floret at a time and placed it into the steamer.
Had I been doing the same task, I would have simply tipped the bowl into the steamer. Conversely, had I been building something with his blocks, I would have taken out each block as I needed it. While it may be interesting to speculate on why we do these things in such opposite ways, the more important learning is that I recognize the differences and honor them. I won’t give him a task that requires speedy dumping of food in preparation for a meal, nor will I expect him to keep his blocks contained while he plays with them (though I will expect him to pick up when he’s done).
Will I always get it right? Hardly. I’m learning about being a parent at the same time as he’s learning about his world, and the simple task of putting objects into containers has more levels of subtlety that I would have guessed. I’m trying to figure it all out, though, one piece at a time.