Join Us...
Our 8-month old lay crying in her crib in the middle of the night. It's her time to learn how to soothe herself back to sleep. Our 3 year-old (who shares a room with the baby) and our 2 year-old, lay in bed with us. We are all listening to the baby cry.
I wanted to go into her room and have her join us. I felt incomplete without her and I thought she might feel lonely--especially if she knew we were all in mommy and daddy's room. She stopped crying and fell back asleep...she was learning.
And so it goes...that feeling of wanting someone to join you. In essence, that's what we do as parents and as teachers. We wait for our children to join us.
My students approach me daily with questions relevant to what we're studying. They also inquire about life and how things work, or why things are the way they are. They are attempting to "join us"; to figure out how to fit into the adult world and they realize, at some point in their childhood, that it is inevitable that they do join.
Ours is a task of great importance. For we nurture the growth of all whom we encounter, both young and old. Ours is a task that has to be quietly and lovingly expressed. For in the gentleness of our task lies the greatest treasures. The gift of compassion. Our world needs compassionate people. Ours is a task of great importance.
Have your children "join you". Show them how to love and be loved. Let them strike out on their own when growth and learning is necessary. Keep them close and protected when life shows its difficult side. Let them join you unconditionally, knowing always that we are all one.
Join us...
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
Our 8-month old lay crying in her crib in the middle of the night. It's her time to learn how to soothe herself back to sleep. Our 3 year-old (who shares a room with the baby) and our 2 year-old, lay in bed with us. We are all listening to the baby cry.
I wanted to go into her room and have her join us. I felt incomplete without her and I thought she might feel lonely--especially if she knew we were all in mommy and daddy's room. She stopped crying and fell back asleep...she was learning.
And so it goes...that feeling of wanting someone to join you. In essence, that's what we do as parents and as teachers. We wait for our children to join us.
My students approach me daily with questions relevant to what we're studying. They also inquire about life and how things work, or why things are the way they are. They are attempting to "join us"; to figure out how to fit into the adult world and they realize, at some point in their childhood, that it is inevitable that they do join.
Ours is a task of great importance. For we nurture the growth of all whom we encounter, both young and old. Ours is a task that has to be quietly and lovingly expressed. For in the gentleness of our task lies the greatest treasures. The gift of compassion. Our world needs compassionate people. Ours is a task of great importance.
Have your children "join you". Show them how to love and be loved. Let them strike out on their own when growth and learning is necessary. Keep them close and protected when life shows its difficult side. Let them join you unconditionally, knowing always that we are all one.
Join us...
Mr. Casten
Jan. 21, 2011
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