“LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN”

Whenever I went to visit him, I had to bring the kids.  The few times I came without them, I was admonished as I left,” You can come back, but only if you bring the children.”

Obediently, the kids were brought, and I would wait patiently (on the outside, at least) while he spent what seemed like endless time engrossed in their prattling and asked them question after question about school, their pets, their lives and dreams.

Once they were settled down with their own projects…he would hand them each a small carving and a piece of worn out sandpaper with the instruction, “If you sand it good enough, you can keep it,” which kept them quiet and in one place for hours…then we would get to work.

I asked him how he did it…getting two active seven-year olds to sit still like that…

“Well, you must first listen to the children.  Give them your complete attention for as long as they want it.  Once they know your not going anyplace, they can settle down and relax.”

How many times had I pretended to listen to my kids and allowed myself to be distracted by something else? How many times had I been talking to someone and not felt that they were listening to me?

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