A Day with my Nephew

So, I had a day with my nephew this past week. By the time I was home, I was exhausted. When he went down for a nap, I curled right up on the couch and took one as well.

Children have so much energy! I do not know how parents of more than one child can handle it but then I have not had the 24-hour, 7 days-a-week responsibility so one day can seem overwhelming.

All in all, my nephew and I had a good day. I got to his house early in the morning and he was standing on the top stair of the entry way, waiting for me. With a huge grin on his face, he yelled, "Is it Auntie Kara?" Yes, he likes me very much.

He was watching his morning cartoons, all on Disney of course. He knew each one and could call them by name. Then he decided to pour out all his trains on the couch so he can play with them. He actually offered a couple of his trains for me to play. That is a very big step for him.

The day was beautiful but for some reason he just did not want to play outdoors. He wanted to play with his trains. But I managed to get him outside for a walk but that is about all for that day. We went around the block and I tried to train him to look both ways before we cross a street. He will eventually get the idea of this concept.

About half way around the block he started to getting antsy so I had to make a game up. So we played hide-and-go-seek with the house. The house was hiding and we had to find it. That kept him busy for another half a block then I had to carry him.

The rest of the day went very well until it was time for bed. Then he decided to be very ornery. How a child could be so cute and adorable to absolute frustration is beyond my comprehension. My patience was definitely tried and I ponder the fact that I could lose my patience so fast. But I did.

I also ponder the fact that I tried to argue with a three-year-old. I thought I would know better as an adult than to try and reason with a child. Mentally a three-year-old does not think like an adult so why I tried is still beyond me. But I did. I would so no, he would say yes, I would say no, he would say yes...anyone else think that is a dumb idea...arguing with a three-year-old. I finally learned to stop talking and he would go back to playing.

Overall I had a great day with my nephew. He is a joy and wonder. I sometimes catch myself being cynical at life and being around my nephew reminds me of the pure joy children have at just living. A child does not have the worries that adults have...they just sit back and enjoy their day. A child knows that all is well and that his/her parents will take care of them. A child does not worry about money or bills or shelter or clothing or food...someone they trust does it for them. A child just sleeps, eats and plays; he does not understand worry.

Monday was a great lesson on remembering to have a child-like faith in my relationship with God.