Fujiko Suda / Reflection

Bugs and sea creatures in Hachijo Island, Tokyo

My favorite is gekko!

Everybody is different

Everybody is different. Yeah, yeah, we hear it all the time. But only by having 3 kids, have I really understood what that means.

This morning, I've asked my 6 year old and 9 year old boys to go on a bicycle ride with me and my husband. The 6 year old dashed out, eager for fun, and 9 year old complained and sulked because he preferred to play with his friends. It isn't the age thing. They have such personalities. Most of the time, the younger one is enthusiastic, ready for adventure, the older one preferring to sit back, observe, regarding any matter carefully, disliking unknown adventure. He will join the fun without much fuss sometimes, but most of the time, he fusses.

Up until recently, I was so unhappy with the way the older one is. If he could come along, he could have so much fun, learn so much! But I was thinking in terms of what I considered fun and learning. In order for something to be fun or learning, HE has to think so. His terms are different from mine. After so much frustration, I understood. Everybody is different, even someone carrying some of my DNA.

The 6 year old had so much fun with us today. But I know the 9 year old had just as much fun, if not more.