seeler
kids left to their own devices
Posted on: 04/23/2014 21:49
Background for this post. On Easter Sunday Seelergirl told Grandson to put on the shoes he had worn last fall. At church he complained that his shoes were hurting his feet - they were too small.
Sunday afternoon we went to their place for a visit. Grandson and a neighbour boy were in the driveway with a small pile of scrap lumber, a hammer and nails.
"What are you building?"
"A stand." Then he explained, "You know - a stand, like a lemonade stand - but we aren't going to sell lemonade."
We left them to their job and went into the house. A bit later he came in,
"I sold my shoes for $5.00. What else can I sell?"
They had set up their stand down the block on the corner of the street. He took out a couple of books, a toy he no longer played with, another pair of outgrown shoes. I don't know if they sold anything else. I do know that since he and his friend were doing this together they split the money - $2.50 each
I think that they showed intelligence, initiative, independemce. I'm glad that no adult was interfering, giving advice or directing their play.
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crazyheart
Posted on: 04/23/2014 22:18
seeler, I must smile. I love it.
Pinga
Posted on: 04/23/2014 23:21
That is awesome.
When left to their own devices, it is fun to see where there mind will take them and what creativity will drive.
seeler
Posted on: 04/24/2014 07:30
I sometimes worry about Grandson. He is a quiet boy, more so since he was bullied by his teacher in grade one (the year his mother had cancer). Sometimes it is difficult to get a sentence out of him. He doesn't like team sports or large group activities (like day- care summer camps) but seems to have lots of friends on a one-to-one basis.
But I think I'll worry a little less. He's gaining confidence and becoming more outgoing.
Mendalla
Posted on: 04/24/2014 08:26
It is heartening to hear of kids doing things like this in an age when "leaving kids to their own devices" all too often means literal devices like smartphones and tabs. Sounds more like my childhood, really, before the age of personal computing (I was already approaching my teens when Apple and MS were founded and almost finished high school when I got my first computer).
Mendalla
kaythecurler
Posted on: 04/24/2014 10:12
We find it so easy to fret and worry about our loved ones don't we. It was unacceptable for Grandson to be treated unkindly by his classroom teacher, and these things do have negative repercussions (in the long run though, they can prove useful - he may become stronger or more compassionate).
He certainly showed initiative with his stand. Creative activities with individuals may well be best for him. Sometimes I think we place way too much emphasis on group and organised activities for kids.
If he was my grand I would make an effort to give him positive feedback when he does something worthwhile with a friend. Admire his creations and ideas - maybe try to get a photo to put on the fridge and show off to visitors.
Hilary
Posted on: 04/24/2014 10:25
Sounds great! As long as he doesn't start selling his sister's things without her knowledge...
seeler
Posted on: 04/24/2014 10:29
Hilary - that would be a disaster.
Rowan
Posted on: 04/24/2014 10:33
Hilary - that would be a disaster.
Well that pretty much guarantees that it'll happen....
chemgal
Posted on: 04/24/2014 12:59
lol I wasn't expecting a positive story when I saw the title. Maybe a quick conversation about what he can sell is worthwhile. I bought shorts from a friend once and I was planning on making them into cutoffs. My mom made me wait, good thing, as my friend's mom wanted them back!
Beloved
Posted on: 04/26/2014 14:43
A future entrepreneur for Canada :).
Sounds like he has a lot of initiative and self-motivation, both positive qualities.
As a parent I would want to make sure he knows the boundaries of what can be sold or cast off . . . Like household or other's possessions. Or even his own personal possessions that as a parent you would want to have input on such as gifts or new items.
Sounds like a great lad.