A is for Alphabet

Here I go on a brand new meme. I love to read other people’s alphabet blogging posts so why not join in? (Other than the small problem that the last time I tried I think I made only 1 or 2 posts…)

But when I said A is for Alphabet, I didn’t mean Blogging through the Alphabet. I meant the actual alphabet. I have a 2 year old who absolutely adores the alphabet. Actually his name is Andrew. He finds letters everywhere, because there are letters everywhere! It is so fun seeing the excitement in a child that is learning!

As I was thinking about this, I realized something. I think that one of the reasons he is so excited about learning and finding letters is that we are all excited with him and for him. When he runs to the TV while we’re watching Jeopardy and starts pointing to a B and yelling, “B! B! B!” none of us are angry. We all applaud him and tell him he’s right.

He knows all the letters now, but we’re still quizzing him on them. I have never caught myself thinking, “Shouldn’t he have this down now? Do I really need to review?”

Then I started thinking about my attitude in teaching my 2 year old Andrew compared to my almost 11 year old, William. There’s a big difference. In my defense, William wouldn’t want me to act really excited when he remembers how to borrow correctly in a subtraction problem. But I’m sure he would appreciate a little more praise. And I bet he’d appreciate more patience too.

I never get mad at Andrew if he says an M is a W. But I am often disappointed when William doesn’t remember something that I think he should. Usually I am good about not saying something negative, but he knows when I’m frustrated.

I need to remember that everyone learns differently and at different rates. God has given William to us for many reasons. One of those reasons might just be to teach me a thing or two (or two thousand.)

I’m so thankful that God is a gracious God. He gently corrects me when I make the same mistakes OVER and OVER AGAIN. I’ll bet He’s excited when I get things right, just like I’m excited to see Andrew learn his letters. I pray I can remember the alphabet the next time I’m frustrated about showing William how to do something that he “should” already know how to do.

What do you think? Do you struggle with finding the positive like I do?