About a month ago, Michael asked the students gathered in his office hour (open time for any students to practice their English) how he would go about finding a tutor or language partner for himself and the boys. (Let's be real--I'm no where near ready to study again. I barely stay afloat as is!) Immediately, 3 students started basically giving their verbal resumes! Two of them are seniors and have tons of free time. (Generally, seniors don't have many, if any, classes. The time is free for them to search for post-grad jobs.) One of those seniors is moving to England in the summer to study for a year, and wants all the English practice he can get. The third is a very bubbly freshman who loves kids and has good English.
We didn't know it would be that easy to find tutors, but there they were! They were hired. :)
Michael and his tutor meet weekly and spend equal time in Chinese and English, just chatting, learning new words along the way.
Malachi only lasted 5 minutes. Literally. :) We had high hopes--a bit too high. He's a squirmy 3-year-old and just not ready to sit and learn another language right now.
So, Josiah acquired his tutor and has a lesson twice a week with 2 different girls. We spend the first 20 minutes chatting with them in English so they get their share out of the deal. Then they work with him on basic vocabulary. Sometimes they go outside and explore while learning. Other times, they work with the good ol' flash cards.
This week, we asked his tutor to take him for a walk and work on colors. She wasn't too excited because it was "hot." (Meanwhile, we're loving the 80s!!) But, she obliged anyway. Anything for the kiddo.
They usually come back no later than 5:30pm (which is way past what we tell her, but whatever). By 5:45 I was wondering what was going on. Michael's tutor then said, "Um, I just got a text and Cherry said Josiah isn't coming home. They're at the soccer field."
Of course, our reply was along the lines of...be firm! Just tell him to come home!
But it's not that easy. These college students usually have zero experience with kids. They don't babysit when they're young. Who would they babysit? They have no siblings! So they do what they see other grannies and parents do--dote on the child, spoil them rotten, virtually let the child be in complete control. I knew this is what had happened.
A few minutes later, Josiah stormed in the door. He doesn't usually get angry, and especially not with someone other than one of us!
I asked him what happened. "She kept following me! I told her I could walk home by myself! I didn't need her to follow me home!"
Meanwhile, Cherry is standing back against the door looking terrified and hurt. Great.
I explained to Josiah that we have never let him walk home alone, so why would she? There are tons of cars on that road and it's just too dangerous. He wasn't having it, so I sent him to his room so I could unwind Cherry a bit.
She started crying (usually a shameful thing in this culture). I felt horrible! I explained to her that she did everything I would have done. I told her the boys get mad at me, too. They say hurtful things. (Apparently he told her he didn't like her in the midst of it all.) But that's just part of taking care of kids.
She replied, "I don't think he likes me. Maybe I cannot teach him anymore. I don't know if I can do this with my own kids." Great, this just ruined her ever having kids.
I gave her a hug. I told her he loves spending time with her every week. She can't take this so personally.
Of course we made Josiah apologize. He made her a card, too. He's over it. :)
In the end, it was a great lesson for both of them. Yes, Josiah definitely needs to learn to respect those older than him, and anyone who is left in charge of him. He doesn't usually have a problem with that, but something set off his little power trip. And I hope Cherry learns that she must be firm and in control. The more she lets him tell her what to do, the worse it will get. Same with any child!
I checked in on her the next day. She was embarrassed, but I hope she takes to heart the big lesson at hand! It would sure help in this generation of little princes and princesses.
No comments:
Post a Comment