How do you react when your child makes a mess? How do you feel?
Have you ever had that slow-motion moment as your child puts a full glass at the edge of the table then turns, and knocks it over while you are in mid-air leaping over trying to stop the cup from spilling?
I often find it frustrating, especially when I explained what to do and they didn’t listen. It is another thing to do that I would rather not do.
Then the other day I heard Confucius’ quote:
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
— Confucius
If I understood this quote correctly kids forget what I tell them (even if it was only 10 seconds prior). 😂😂😂. It got me thinking and I realised I have been guilty of making a mess and spilling things and often learnt and understood post the action. What I need to do is to change my reaction and attitude. As the only person I can control is myself.
How do I change my attitude and reaction?
Tony Robbins says ‘The quality of your life is a direct reflection of the quality of the questions you are asking yourself’. Well if that is the case and kids learn by doing I asked myself:
How can I better react when my child makes a mess (accidentally or on purpose)?
Ideas flurried to my head such as laughing (though if I laugh they will do it on purpose) or walking away. The seed (question) had been planted and I knew that an appropriate answer will come to me.
Then one morning I saw it coming as my son was pouring milk he turned and milk spilled everywhere. I felt his tension as he looked at me, I froze staring at him and my daughter stopped and stared waiting for my usual reaction. All you could hear was milk dripping on the floor.
I took a deep breath, smiled and said well don’t cry over spilled milk clean it up. At that moment everyone laughed and together the kids cleaned up the milk.
Don’t cry over spilled milk, clean it up
This little saying has become a go-to in our house whenever a mess is made (I must admit I am guilty too). The focus now is on the solution and clean-up as opposed to the annoyance of the mess. We are all human after all.
Though at times I am not perfect and I may get frustrated, however, when I do I have the kids reminding me which always brings a smile to my face.
I feel that the messes and spillages are becoming less and less which makes me wonder are the kids no longer on the edge and worried about my reaction. Or is it because they are getting older and have learnt?
Please leave a comment below on your reaction to a mess. Also please share how you went with the saying “Don’t cry over spilt milk, clean it up”. How your kids reacted?
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