Story from Mick

Mick: I just read your blog about little boys and for some reason remembered a story Will Rockingbear told us a couple of weeks ago, and thought I should share it...

Will went on a hike to a local waterfall and ran into a family he knew... mom, dad, 8 and 9 year old boys and 5 year old little girl. Mom climbed up a large rock to see the waterfall better and talk to some other parents. The girl called her for help and mom said "you can do it." The girl struggled for a few minutes before finally getting up and came and sat by mom who just smiled at her and continued with her conversation. The other parents questioned mom, "why did you not praise her for climbing up that rock, that was a hard thing for a little girl to do. Tell her what a good job she just did... Pay attention to your kids." Mom said, "She did not climb the rock for me, she did it for herself and I want her to learn to feel accomplishment without being dependent upon my approval and praise."

A couple weeks later Will saw the father and the girl at Home Depot. The girl came and asked the father if he would take her to her brothers karate school with him that day. She said she wanted to talk to the sensei about joining the class. Dad said "sure I'll take you." Will said, "she seems young to be starting karate." Dad said "yeah she is only 5 and the minimum age for the class is 7, I remember they wouldn't let my youngest son start with his brother until he was 7, but who am I to speak for the sensei. She didn't ask me if she could join the class, she asked me if I could take her to talk to the sensei."(Already seems pretty confident and independent for a 5 year old girl.)

So Dad took her to the dojo. She took off her shoes bowed as she had seen her brothers do and kneeled at the edge of the mat watching until class was finished. The sensei came up and greeted her after class. The father did not hear the conversation between her and the sensei, he didn't feel he had to be involved. The girl hadn't asked for anything more than a ride to the dojo. The girl finished her converstion and said she was ready to go. The kids were kids on the ride home and didn't speak of much other than kid stuff. Later that night the girl asked her dad if he would be able to take her again next Tuesday with her brothers. Dad asked why. She said very matter of factly, "because that's when I start my first class."