Every day I teach 115 thirteen year old students. This means that no two days are alike, heck, no two class periods are alike. It means I spend a lot of time being patient but an equal amount of time laughing. It also means I get to see some pretty amazing things, like last week when our students selected an Autistic student to be the King of the biggest dance of the year.
As Lyla approaches 3 I can't help but think that 3 is a lot like 13. Both ages are sort of mixed up with trying to take control of your world but not really knowing how. At both ages you want to be independent but also find independence a little scary. Both ages are full of emotional outbursts. Both ages require adults to take lots of deep breaths. Both are testing boundaries.
A couple of weeks ago, Lyla had a crying, sobbing fit because the shopping carts at Target are red and not blue. Yesterday she sobbed hysterically because I told her I wanted to play instead of watching cartoons. Her moods can be wildly unpredictable, sometimes to the point of me either walking away to contain my frustration or laughing uncontrollably about the ridiculousness of the situation. I mean, who other than a nearly three year old wants to wash their hands but then becomes emotional about getting a drop of water on her pants?
But, being nearly 3, like being 13 is also filled with inspiring moments. Like every time Lyla asks to help with something and says, "I can help you very well." Or two nights ago when Madison was tired and cranky so Lyla gave her a big hug and a kiss and then got her favorite toys for Madison and said something about sharing to help Madison feel better. She takes care of us when she thinks we don't feel well. The other day Lyla taught Madison how to read. It went something like this, "Open da book, den point with da finger...(Lyla starts "reading") One day in Africa..."
Nearly 3, like 13 is an age of extremes, highs and lows. It's one second of "I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH" and then another of, "I'm so very frustrated."
Teaching and parenting this age group is a constant reminder to ride out the tough times, there's usually something magical around the corner.
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I'm not sure how you survive 115 13-year-olds. I prefer 3 years old. At least they take naps. Which, when you think about it, is probably the very thing the 13 year olds need most.
ReplyDeleteSorry Doug, Lyla hasn't napped in at least a year :)
ReplyDeleteEven at 36 sometimes I feel the same way.
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