Have you ever....

Been in a position that someone assumes something about you and it's way off base? Gosh, I've been there! What a horrible feeling that can be! It may not even be a big deal when you look at the whole picture, but the fact is it's out there and the first reaction is naturally to defend ourselves. Children are the same way. I am a teacher of 13 little tykes during the day and we have classroom lessons designed to teach them conflict resolution. In our class we have a flower that we hold called the "peace flower" and the person that has gotten offended by another picks up the peace flower and explains their complaint/frustration to the other child. What a necessary skill they are learning! Each person gets a turn to hold the "peace flower" and no one interrupts the person holding it. Once each child has had a turn, then they can put the flower back and go about their day. The most precious thing is when the children get the flower out during a conflict, but then forget what they got it out for. They end up just asking the other child to join them in another activity and work together as if nothing happened. True, They may not have all the words to communicate their feelings at times, but watching their gestures one can see that there are times when a child is completely free and forgiving. Teaching us that we also need to be forgiving and not accept the bondage that frustration, anger, and resentment (even when they are logical) can bring. How humbling this is!