**Night with Matthias-every moment of education
I looked really young right? I was just a mere 19 years old.When I went over last night, my brother was SULKING. Orh. I haven't seen him sulk so badly for a long time. I realised that he wasn't watching his BEN-10 cartoon which is till 7.55pm every weekday night. Gosh. "he must be feeling really down not watching BEN-10."
My aunt and Matthias are like rivals because they both want to watch television. And, the television in the living room is the only one which has cable. Yesterday my aunt beat Matthias to the tube first and he was really angry. =( My mother wasn't around for a few nights as she went overseas to take care of my eldest sister. So, i have been 'parenting' him over his homework for a couple of nights.
"Dawn, you better scold Matthias! He doesn't listen to us! He shouts at lynn (our domestic helper) and me when he is angry! He is soon having exams and cannot watch television!! He doesn't know how the children in poor countries feel. He should feel really lucky to be in Singapore!" my aunt complained. [think we cannot expect children to feel so deeply of something/someone they have not known.It's unfair to them and non-educating]I kept quiet, listening to her opinions and went to clarify with lynn about the matter.
When we were having tuition, i delibrately ignored his sulks. Normally, i would like to settle the matter first but i thought he needs to learn to control his emotions. I told him
"No matter how you are feeling now, you need to learn to put them aside and focus on doing your best in your work."
I thought i made a wise move. He managed to put those sulks aside and focus. Well, anger diminished over 1 hour. He was alright after awhile but this matter must be resolved. I took our bible story time to process through the matter.
Dawn: What happen?
Matthias: What do you mean what happen?
Dawn: Is what Aunt said true?
Matthias: I only shout to them sometimes and not really so loud.
Dawn: Well, can you tell me abit more of what happened?
So, we talked. And, he felt really sorry for shouting. Every moment is an educating moment. Every child can be taught and no one should expect them to simply know it all to behave rightly. We need to guide and teach them. We need to listen to them before forming an opinion. That helps. Even if they are wrong, they felt understood.
Matthias: I already said sorry to God in my heart.
Dawn: hm. I think you should sorry to God again, and also aunt and Lynn too.
Matthias: *Shy* must i really do it?
Dawn: When you do something wrong, you must say sorry. Even if the person did it first. And, you can't always expect others to say sorry to you. But, you can learn to be forgiving and gracious.
Matthias: Alright. [he shared his opinion before saying alrights. Maybe it's really really hard. I am learning too]
Our prayers requests/items that night:
* Mummy to know God and love God. To be safe in overseas
* Aunt to know God and love God. Protection over her
* Matthias to say sorry to God
* Matthias to promise not to be proud
* Gor Gor to be made very clever and so that he can finish his assignment by thursday.
* Matthias to get all Band 1s for all subjects.
* Many people to know and love God
I taught him the Lord's prayer last week. Prayers must be HONEST AND SIMPLE to God.