Son, calm the storm.
Son,
I remember getting home today and walking in the door to witness the middle of your tantrum in the kitchen. It seemed like you wanted a snack, but you had graham crackers, and lemonade sitting right there in front of you, however I still do not know why you were upset, or what set you off.
What I do know is that you started to calm down slightly when I came over and picked you up. Then when I was talking calmly to you, asking what you needed, that helped calm your storm. What really calmed you down completely though, was when I just started walking around the house to do what I was going to do any way, while carrying you in one of my arms. After a moment you soon calmed down and seemed content to have your fathers’ attention.
Son, I hope that as you grow up, you will learn to calm yourself down and more effectively communicate what you want, to the benefit of yourself and everyone else around you. I hope you will also look to Christ, as he calmed down the raging storm, so too can you calm down a raging storm in others, and situations around you. I have seen in you the personality the traits of warm, friendly, strong willed, and others looking up to you. The potential, which these traits bring to become a great leader through discipline, living true and correct principles, service, and love, is enormous.
Son, you have the potential to become a great man who does much good, I hope to do my best to teach you to do so. However in the end it will ultimately come down to the choices you make, the paths you take, and my ability to teach you that every choice you make has a consequence, and while you don’t get to pick the consequences, you do get to pick what choices you make.
Love,
Your Father
Posted in Son and tagged Calm, Choice, Christ, Consequence, Discipline, God, Love, Potential, Principles, Service, Sonwith comments disabled.
Son, don’t spit!
Dear son,
While I realize that you are only two years old right now, I also realize that I don’t want you to grow up to be a grown man my age who partakes in the type of behavior where you may think it is acceptable to spit in anyone’s face, or worse. Even though right now it is difficult, even impossible sometimes for you to understand why I ask you not to do certain things which seem funny; I still want you to do them, because I am trying to teach you to become a better man than I myself am capable.
It sure seemed like you thought it was really funny to spit in your mothers face. She didn’t appreciate it, and I was disappointed with that behavior because we have talked about this very thing before, and I know that you know better. Even worse, in my attempt to release you from the consequence of time out, you thought it well to spit in my face also, which merely extended the length of your stay.
Son, I do not enjoy putting you in time-out, or enforcing the consequences which I give you before allowing you to make your own choice, it is because of my love for you that I do. I want you to know that it is much better for you to learn and understand sooner than later that every choice we make has a consequence, whether it is good or bad. It is better to learn these lessons now, while you are young and making smaller mistakes, than as an adult making mistakes against the laws of society which are not forgiving. I would much prefer that you always make the right choice, and as an adult I know that would simply be asking far too much of a toddler.
Son, while I am attempting to teach you the difference between appropriate behaviors and inappropriate behaviors, I know that you are teaching me patience, tolerance, and more about God, and his mercy. You are teaching me how imperfect I am, and how much I need to look up to God’s example and apply it to the relationship between you and me. Son I want you to know that I love you.
Love,
Your Father
Posted in Son and tagged Choice, Consequence, God, Love, Mistakes, Son, Spitwith 1 comment.