In our worlds, we have taken pictures of our kids during fits. There are two reasons I think this is so necessary.
First, Dawn has used this well, and I followed her lead one day when my girlie wouldn't change her heart. I took a picture of her with one of her "looks." (you know THOSE looks. I think she saves them up just for me. :) She was so mad at the time, she didn't even care I was taking her pictures. But later, in a quiet moment, I showed her. She was horrified. I think it was the first picture of her where she wasn't cute, cuddly and happy. A mirror also works well. They are caught in the moment and don't have a concept of self-control, self-awareness or being others centered. I think it really helps them understand even a little bit!
The second is for you. I wanted to post this today because of an unexpected moment. I needed to delete some of my thousands of pics and videos from my computer. The need for more hard drive space was agitating. It is not how I wanted to spend my evening. But that irritant, as usual, was going to be used by the Lord. I found a video from the first week my daughter was home from the orphanage. I played it. and sat in shock. She was out of control. She looks like she needs ritalin. And A LOT of it. But as it played, my shock turned to a bit of calm. I though, "oh, she doesn't do that anymore. Or that. Oh, that I didn't see all day today." etc. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. She is growing. These steps are painfully small sometimes. But she is growing. So get out the camera. Now and in six months and in a year. During a calm moment and during a crazy cycle. It will help you feel like it's not all in vain.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Get Out the Camera!!!
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1 comments:
I think that's a great idea. Kids often have no idea of what they really look like or how they really are behaving. They are so self absorbed they can't see themselves as others see them. (That's a developmental thing; kids are not born with the ability to see things from others' perspectives. They have to be taught to do that.) When I taught school, I would say I'm going to show you what your face looks like or I'm going to say what you just said, not to make fun of you but because I want you to hear or see what I'm hearing or seeing. Often, the kiddo would laugh at my imitation and then recognize how they had been disrespectful by rolling their eyes or using an inappropriate tone in their voice. I also would then model what an appropriate look or voice would sound like and make them try it.
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