Our car died on us on a Monday morning. Hubby suspected battery life is up...well, that is not the main topic of this post. What I wanted to share about is my son's reaction. So, he was allowed a new Disney video to be played on our way, as he was well behaved (woke up early and on his own without fuss). He hopped on to his usual front passenger seat and was all belt-up, ready for the ride, and of course anticipating the video. Not quite sure of what has happened, he cried when I asked him to get out of the car. Daddy told him the car has broken down and boy cried out, "but I want to watch my cartoon". Intuition told me that it's not just that. Then, he has to follow me to hail a cab.
Few minutes into the cab ride, my boy leaned against my arms and asked in a little but serious voice, " Mommy, are we going to change to another car?" "No, it'll be fixed, papa needs to check the battery" I replied. "Where is papa now?" he asked with obvious quiver in his voice, trying to subdue a sob. "Papa is waiting for the tow truck, the car needs to go to the workshop". "Will papa pass by here?" He was wondering if he can catch sight of daddy in the tow truck taking the same route. "No, papa is not taking this way." I answered quietly, wondering to myself what's on his mind. "If our car goes to the workshop, he'll find other friends...." Then it dawned on me, my boy was worried for our broken down car. The story of the cartoon Cars came into my mind, of how Lightning McQueen was lost and down and found some friends along the way. That must have been bugging my boy. I reassured him that the car will be alright and we'll get it back by the evening and distracted him by asking him about breakfast.
I frequently paused and asked myself about being a mom, bringing up my kids and what will they become. Have I done a good job? Am I doing it right? I have always pride myself that I've taught my little toddler son well, about being able to express himself well at a young age. Good interaction with kids should start early, the better he understands and convey, the less misunderstanding and pent up frustrations. Today, I've witnessed with some comfort, that my son is sentimental. This is the first time the car that had brought him daily to preschool failed and I guess he didn't know how to express himself, the only way is to cry. It reminds me of his infant days, where hunger, insecurity and discomfort = cry. If you ask me, I don't miss those days, where I've to decipher and rely on more than 5 senses to tell what's wrong with the newborn. This incident reminded me that no matter how smart and confident my 4 year old child is, there is always a vulnerable side. Use not only the mouth to communicate, ears to listen but also your heart to feel...especially for the young little hearts.
Few minutes into the cab ride, my boy leaned against my arms and asked in a little but serious voice, " Mommy, are we going to change to another car?" "No, it'll be fixed, papa needs to check the battery" I replied. "Where is papa now?" he asked with obvious quiver in his voice, trying to subdue a sob. "Papa is waiting for the tow truck, the car needs to go to the workshop". "Will papa pass by here?" He was wondering if he can catch sight of daddy in the tow truck taking the same route. "No, papa is not taking this way." I answered quietly, wondering to myself what's on his mind. "If our car goes to the workshop, he'll find other friends...." Then it dawned on me, my boy was worried for our broken down car. The story of the cartoon Cars came into my mind, of how Lightning McQueen was lost and down and found some friends along the way. That must have been bugging my boy. I reassured him that the car will be alright and we'll get it back by the evening and distracted him by asking him about breakfast.
I frequently paused and asked myself about being a mom, bringing up my kids and what will they become. Have I done a good job? Am I doing it right? I have always pride myself that I've taught my little toddler son well, about being able to express himself well at a young age. Good interaction with kids should start early, the better he understands and convey, the less misunderstanding and pent up frustrations. Today, I've witnessed with some comfort, that my son is sentimental. This is the first time the car that had brought him daily to preschool failed and I guess he didn't know how to express himself, the only way is to cry. It reminds me of his infant days, where hunger, insecurity and discomfort = cry. If you ask me, I don't miss those days, where I've to decipher and rely on more than 5 senses to tell what's wrong with the newborn. This incident reminded me that no matter how smart and confident my 4 year old child is, there is always a vulnerable side. Use not only the mouth to communicate, ears to listen but also your heart to feel...especially for the young little hearts.
Aaron is such a smart, sensitive young man :)
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