This book about raising a child who thinks ethically is changing the way I work with my class.
The second graders are getting it.
I have focused on 3 rules for living comfortably in a community.
- Care deeply
- Share generously
- Help willingly
Perhaps the on-line Vietnam Adoption community might take a moment to reflect on the aforementioned rules for living. Care, share, help. Simple. The 7 year olds get it. Give it a try and if you are a reader get it at the local library and enjoy.
I'm not big on blog commenting but I could not hold myself back this week. Some of the angry opinions out there in cyber space seemed over the top. Below I have pasted in a bit of the comment I made on a popular blog (she certainly gets more viewers than I do!) in response to a very unhappy PAP.
Corruption touches all of us, around the globe, and taints my wait with worry.
In spite of that worry I choose to read these blogs of families that have gone before me. I admire their beautiful children. I celebrate the highs and lows of their journey from afar. I pay special attention to discussions of Vietnamese history, descriptions of the Hanoi area, advice about restaurants, taxis, hotels and packing lists. I choose to read and take away from my reading those tidbits that are meaningful to me and me alone. I choose to read. You choose to read.
We all have a choice here.
Don’t read. Read.
Be nasty. Be nice.
Be infuriated. Be joyful.
I know what I am choosing.
Little B, my son, may very well be waiting for me in an orphanage in Northern Vietnam at this very moment. When he arrives I want him to know all about this time of joyous anticipation.
Stressful? Yes.
Frustrating? Certainly.
Joyous? Definitely.
Another rule for living in a community? If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Credit for this rule goes to my mom.
10 comments:
I agree with you 100%. We should be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. The finger-pointing and name-calling must stop. It's not helping anyone bring their children home, which is what we all SHOULD be about.
I love your three rules! Keep it up!
Great post! I agreed with every bit of it. I loved the three rules. I'm a 2nd grade teacher too. I'll have to give it a try!
I agree with your post and tone completely... even though I'm not a huge reader of blogs... But keeping things positive while we anticipate our arrivals is key! And I want to read Barbara's new book! It sounds fantastic.
Those are great rules. I am going to have to read that book. It has been a rough couple of weeks in the Vietnam adoption world and I agree with everything you said! Time to work towards our common goal of bringing our babies home!
I agree with your completely. I have stopped reading blogs and yahoo groups that have negative tones. I feel we should all be in this together and support eachother through the difficult wait but unfortunately not all people have the same idea.
I'm going to see if I can find the book you recommended at the library. My middle school student could use some of that.
Good luck with your wait! We will get to our little ones.
hi,
i went away on vacation and seemed to have missed most the nastiness i think. i'm glad of that. i don't deal well with that kind of stuff.
so how are you doing? any word on things? i think of you often and wonder if it will happen for you soon, i really hope it will :)
leslie
Thank you for the comment on my blog, what a great post you've written! So true, so very very true. I'm always in awe and how little priority people put on teaching morals and values...
and living them!
and living them!
Post a Comment