Wednesday, September 20, 2006

What a great big brother!

Sometimes I really wonder about my kids - especially when my 7-year old is going through major attitude and my 5 year-old thinks listening to his parents (or any other authority figure) is optional. But then...every now and then your children say or do something that makes you realize all that teaching is paying off!

Last week, Kurtis couldn't sleep so he came to snuggle in bed with me. I was watching CSI or something else totally inappropriate for a 7 year old and quickly switched the channel. It turned out to be Supernanny. For some reason, this show got his attention and he wanted to watch it (and I admit, I watch it in between commercials of my other show as well). The children in this particular episode were horrible. Hitting, yelling, swearing.... Kurtis couldn't believe it and he made a comment something along the lines of .."we're not nearly that bad, are we?" I told him that Ryan and him were good kids - kids who just misbehaved sometimes. We talked for a bit about those kids and behaviour... I was amazed at his comments and how we were having a chat about this! Then I said something about how Ryan has been misbehaving a lot lately and how he has been hitting and not listening to what is asked of him. Kurtis's response blew me away: "but Mom, Ryan has Down syndrome... and that means it takes him longer to learn. So maybe it's just taking him longer to learn good behaviour". Not only is he defending his younger brother to me, he's also realizing why Ryan sometimes behaves the way he does. He's a very insightful boy, that kid of mine.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kids never cease to amaze me they always say and do unexpected things; yours, like their parents and because of their parents, have always been very special people.

Unknown said...

Annette, please give Kurtis a big high five from us. Just the vision of your big boy coming to snuggle with his Momma makes my heart sing and then for him to be so observant and understanding of his little brother, makes my heart swell.

Thinking of you non-stop.

Peace and love, TM

Jan Steck Huffman said...

Kurtis thank you for reminding me....Nash needed this!

Michelle said...

He is very insightful indeed! And I needed reminding of that lesson as well as we had a sort of rough morning this morning!

The Mom said...

Alright Kurtis - way to stick up for your brother :) And - I agree - what insight for a 7 year old. What a special boy....

Anonymous said...

I sometimes find myself forgetting how much our children teach us. They really are just great people in little bodies and thank God we have them in our lives for moments just like this.

Anonymous said...

Hi Annette, What a gorgeous fall day. Have fun playing in the leaves. Auntie Jill and Alice