This morning was difficult. Right before leaving the house to go to to school, Liam complained of abdominal pain.
I noticed a little sadness on his expression.
I asked him if he was sad. He answered no.
I asked him if he felt like this because he did not want to go to school. He did not answer but there was water in his eyes. He turned his head away.
I told him that i knew he found the first week of first grade to be difficult because play time was over and he had to work. We discussed the value of school. I told him that knowledge (reading, writing, counting) was the most beautiful treasure he could get from life but it had to be earned and he had to work for it.
I reassured him that with work and responsibilities came more freedom. He was a big boy now. He still had water in his eyes. I told him it was OK to cry, that tears brought courage and calmness. I told him i also cried sometimes.
Then i took him in my arms and i told him i loved him and i would always be there for him. He started crying. I could not resist, i cried with him. It was a beautiful moment even though filled with tears. Then we felt better. He found his strength and we went to school.
I feel that sadness and genuine tears in a child should never be repressed but acknowledged and understood.
When our children feel comfortable expressing their emotion with us, true understanding can bloom.
The tears of a child are like raindrops nourishing and strengthening the roots of his soul.
Original post Facebook, september 2015
Martin Pham Dinh 