Ben went to a Lego mechanics day camp last week through our local parks and recreation. It was a learning experience in more ways than one.
He had been looking forward to this with eager anticipation. Three hours of Legos everyday. When I picked him up the first day he made it to the car and then burst into tears. The boys (a group of 7 boys, some of the nerdiest, thick-glasses, lispy, and "non-athletically built" boys you've seen) had called him "baby." We reviewed any reasons as to why. No, he didn't cry. No, he had used the bathroom when he needed to. No, he hadn't kissed his mom goodbye. I couldn't figure out why that had happened but he was devastated. I wasn't sure he would want to go back.
That evening after Mike and I had talked, and talked to Ben, together and separately, he came to the top of the stairs. "I've decided I can handle three more days of being called 'baby' if it means going to Lego camp." I was stunned, proud, and struck by the fact that he is a tougher kid than I gave him credit for.
The next three days were better but not great. He didn't come away with any friends; he was disturbed by the language the boys used.
The fall parks and recreation program list is up now and a favorite art teacher is teaching an art class for 7-13 year olds. We talked about the fact that the kids may not be nice and Ben reiterated that he was willing to deal with that in order to learn something that was important to him.
If you had asked me two weeks ago what one of the most important characteristics I hoped to see in my kids was, I wouldn't have known to answer "Willing to deal with difficult people in order to have learning experiences." But I am glad he has shown such tenacity. I am not sure I have this characteristic. It will take him far.
4 comments:
What happened breaks my heart. I know he was extremely excited for lego camp. I am so proud of your son.
He will go far with his ability to deal with difficult, yes just plain mean, people. What a great foundation you have laid for your children. You should be proud of yourselves, just as he should be very proud of himself.
Judy
Go Ben! I am very proud of you. Good job.
I am so proud of Ben! What a smart, great kid. (This is a lesson so many adults need to learn! Myself included.)
I always hoped that my kids, even before I had them, wouldn't have to be put in situations like this. But they will, as we all were, so I just hope that they handle it as well as he did. Reading this I felt sad though, just knowing how other kids make you feel so bad, especially when he was so excited to go.
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