Can One Teach Humility?

Hass has been feeling herself lately. I'm okay with that. I think a girl (and boy for that matter) needs a healthy self-esteem. What I am bent on teaching is that one can think highly of ones self without thinking poorly of others. For some reason, this lesson is a bit tricky. How do you do it?

I try to explain that we must be grateful for our blessings and show humility. (Yeah, fancy an eight year-old getting that). That some may not have the same, but that doesn't mean that any one is necessarily "beneath" another. With all of our families troubles, struggles, tribulations, successes, and triumphs, Allah has blessed us as Allah has blessed many others. We need to be grateful and to accept these blessing with humility. Without the knowledge of the greatness of Allah, and humility that we express in receiving Allah's blessings, Allah can decide to take them away. We must show Allah that we are grateful and deserving. We don't do that by showing Allah who we think is not. It is not up to us to judge that. It is up to us to make character assessments about those whom we consider part of our circle. That is it. Those are decisions that we must make based on our values governed by our love of Allah and the universe He created.

Ben Franklin Blues

Oh my, oh my... Could you imagine being in a padded room with 100 billion 8 year- olds all trying to literally climb up the wall? I can, 'cause that it what is was like going to the Franklin Institute with my daughter's third grade class. I mean, I didn't know that kids where that excited about science. They were quite excited about the old faithful heart which was surprising to me. That thing is as least as old as I am and looks it. New exhibits like the Sports Challenge, Sir Issac's Loft, and others really got them going --and me (and other parents) after them. We are members and have seen these exhibits time and time again, but when experiencing these exhibits with 11 third graders (no kidding 11. And I must say go girl to Yolanda because she and I really held it down!) was exhilarating.

Unfortunately, if you don't have a membership or know someone that does or don't get reduced ticket prices, it gets expensive. I'm originally from New York, and when taking my children to the wonderful art, science, and history museum there--from borough to borough---I am truly grateful. See, my parents didn't have to pay enormous amounts for entry into cultural activities like those I mentioned and the borough botanical gardens, in New York you pay what you can. I think that is one of the reasons why my brother and I have such an affinity for the arts. Our parent took us regularly. Heck, my mom would just say see wants to see Water Lilies and pack us up to go. If she had to pay $10 a pop for us, I don't know if I would have developed this fondness. I don't know if we would have gone to the museums and zoos as often as we did. New York's cultural organizations enjoy a huge endowment from what I understand. It would be really cool if Philadelphia could explore the same and provide equal access to the splendor of the creative and scientific world.

Until then, Ben try not to be blue because thousands don't get a chance to see you.

After a New York Kind of Weekend

We often have challenges with our daughter after she spends the alternate weekend with family in New York. (I'll get into the rationale for the arrangement in later posts). Knowing the environment there, I am aware that it is far less structured than that my husband and I have created in Philadelphia. We've (mom taking the lead) read lots of ADHD parenting books, seen child development specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, social workers and just about anybody who I thought could help us help our daughter succeed in school and succeed socially. For girls, it is very important for them to have "girlfriends". Its half the reason why they go to school--or at least from my experience it appears to have a huge impact on their desire to go to school. My husband and I have taken parenting courses and he's been an strong advocate especially when it comes to creating the right school and home environment for our children. It is so important to have a partner where the two of you see eye-to-eye on important matters.

This morning Hass (nickname to protect the innocent?)was clearly unfocused. I knew she would have challenges this morning. After turning on the timer -- if she beats the timer, she's rewarded--I went back to my room. I heard a strange noise, one clearly not part of the morning dressing routine. "What are you doing Hass?" Clipping the thorns off my roses. She had an excellent guitar performance Saturday prior to going to NY and her brother and Dad got her roses. "Get dressed," I said in no uncertain terms. "OK," but I knew she wasn't on track. When I came in the room she was on the floor doing I don't know what. She only had her socks on and still her nightgown. Of course, I laid down the law. She wasn't able to wear the "cute" outfit we had gotten together the night before. She got herself together and by Dad's reports, did well upon going downstairs to eat. She redeemed herself and was able to change and wear the outfit she wanted.

A day in the life of Hass is never dull.

Love you Girl!