I am giddy. As parents, we want to feel that way about our kids and their choices all the time. And I got to feel that way this last week big time!
My 11-year-old son, Tyler, is helping friends of ours build their
house in Oregon. Last week, he was able to operate an excavator, and he told his dad and me on the phone “I was working on the machine for an hour and a half, and it felt like 10 minutes… Mom, it was like heaven; I could be on that for 6 hours. I loved it. It was way better than welding.” If I had a mic, I would drop it. My heart was singing throughout this conversation.
My dad always said, “You do what you love and you’ll never have to work
a day in your life.” We have a few more things for Tyler to try, but this is at the top of the list so far. He did well, too! He was careful, not afraid, and, as he shrugged his shoulders on FaceTime, said, “I just did it, Mom.”
Tyler’s Kolbe Y Index told me that he is in his groove when he has big risk and creativity while working. It might be scary watching your child weld or use an excavator, but I know that Tyler will naturally be able to do it! I could not be more elated and proud as a parent. And this is also the first time he recognized and communicated what it was like doing work when it feels like no time has passed.
I want to give every parent and child the words to be able to understand what their children are naturally good at doing. It has made me a better parent and given Tyler more chances to shine doing things how he does them best.
With Gratitude,
Gail
