“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” — William Shakespeare
I marvel at our young “mystery” man’s growth and maturity. His expanding wisdom as a man committed to living as his child’s beacon of light —that is life changing! Let me share his latest profile in courage:
“Bill told me you face a new challenge raising your daughter.”
Our young friend had joined us for breakfast. He grinned.
“Well…yes, and no. I’m learning that challenges, whether it’s in parenting, business, or just life, give us another opportunity to get creative. This creative opportunity happens to be in parenting.”
Now it was my turn to grin. “Oh, so you’ve created a new parenting skill? The world needs to hear positive solutions to the ongoing saga of ‘how do I keep my kids (and me) sane and healthy.’ Please…tell us!”
“My daughter was hyper when she returned from her weekend visits with her mother and siblings. I know her mother’s home is higher energy than mine. My daughter has siblings to play with, and squabble with at her mom’s. She returns to my home buzzing with a little too much high energy.
“It was a real problem for a few weeks because her school attendance suffered. Monday morning I’d pick her up from her mom’s and she had difficulty settling down in school. It took about 48 hours for my calm child to return.
“So I thought about how I enjoy this radio station on the Internet that I programmed to play nature sounds—rushing water, ocean waves, birds singing. I left it on one night in her room. She slept through the night and was calm and peaceful the next day. Now she asks me, ‘Daddy, can you leave that station on tonight? I really like it. It helps me fall asleep.’”
“Very wise, my young friend. What’s the name of this station?”
“It has many of genres of music. Just pick ‘Nature’ if you like those soothing sounds.”
Amazing. Creative. Phenomenal parenting.
Love it…
I am totally in awe of this young parent with his positive and creative approach to parenting. He has turned, what I suspect for many parents, would be constant confrontation to a beautiful way to relate to his child and a habit that will endure and enrich both of them.
I know exactly how he feels..I have of course what I feel are the two most hyper children on this planet, but the relaxing sounds help them focus and regroup. My boys need a bath with lavender oil and they like to listen to yanni as they go to sleep.