Do you need my help? Sound familiar? If you are a parent, this is something we ask of our children on a daily basis. However, there are times when they will not want our help.
For example, my little girl was invited to a skating party. She was excited to attend but hesitant as well. I could see her hesitation as I laced her skates and asked if she needed my help. She was quick to say, ‘No, Ma’am’. So I let her struggle and fall and get up several times. I watched but didn’t offer my help, because she insisted she didn’t need my help.
After the party and on the way home, I noticed she was a bit upset with me. I asked her why and she said because I didn’t help her. Hmmm, you see, she really wanted my help but was afraid to ask in front of her friends.
So the lesson here is this: The next time you offer your help to your child and they refuse, consider the circumstances and learn to read between the lines. Put yourself in their situation and think back if you ever wanted your parent’s help. Parenting is a fun job…don’t you agree?
