Brown Eyed Boy has always been reserved, done things on his own terms, in his own time. It's part of his personality to sit back and observe until he's ready to participate, and then he jumps in with both feet.
This boy is reserved in all respects:
When we were in Colorado for the Renovare Covenant Retreat in July, he would stand just inside the door of the child minding room and watch until a moment or two after we left, and then he'd join in the puzzles and games. Every day. All week. He wasn't afraid to be there, nor was he worried about our leaving. He simply wanted to determine on his own how and where he'd participate.
When Grandma and Grandpa (on either side of the family) come to visit, Brown-Eyed Boy won't give them goodnight hugs or kisses. And, to keep these dear ones from feeling offended, I quite honestly tell them that he doesn't kiss me goodnight, either. Ever. He smiles at me, hears my "Good night" to him, and then ducks his head away so that he can maintain his distance. If I happen to "sneak a kiss" on top of his head as Dear Man is carrying him off to bed (upside-down, most likely) his little hand immediately goes to the kissed spot and rubs it, saying, "I don't like kisses."
A mother should be able to kiss her smallest son, don't you think? But, out of respect for him, I refrain when I can, and when I forget, which I do sometimes, I end up apologizing and offering to take it back.
And this little fellow, who talks almost non-stop when we're at home or in the vehicle driving somewhere, says nothing when we're visiting others. Last fall we visited friends and I said at the beginning of the visit "You'll be lucky if you hear 10 words from him this afternoon." When our 4 hour visit was over, the eldest child of our host family said, "I counted. He said 12 words." I was impressed!
And in February, visiting other friends the week of Brown-Eyed Boy's birthday, our host said, "He's turning four? But he doesn't even talk yet!"
So, this kind of reticence is in his nature, part of who he is. I'm glad he's free enough to express himself with us, beautifully, creatively, humorously, and intelligently. And I love it when he feels comfortable enough with others to share his deeper personality with them.
What a treasure it is to see each of our children develop their own personality and style. The same family. Very different persons.
Praise the Lord!
This boy is reserved in all respects:
When we were in Colorado for the Renovare Covenant Retreat in July, he would stand just inside the door of the child minding room and watch until a moment or two after we left, and then he'd join in the puzzles and games. Every day. All week. He wasn't afraid to be there, nor was he worried about our leaving. He simply wanted to determine on his own how and where he'd participate.
When Grandma and Grandpa (on either side of the family) come to visit, Brown-Eyed Boy won't give them goodnight hugs or kisses. And, to keep these dear ones from feeling offended, I quite honestly tell them that he doesn't kiss me goodnight, either. Ever. He smiles at me, hears my "Good night" to him, and then ducks his head away so that he can maintain his distance. If I happen to "sneak a kiss" on top of his head as Dear Man is carrying him off to bed (upside-down, most likely) his little hand immediately goes to the kissed spot and rubs it, saying, "I don't like kisses."
A mother should be able to kiss her smallest son, don't you think? But, out of respect for him, I refrain when I can, and when I forget, which I do sometimes, I end up apologizing and offering to take it back.
And this little fellow, who talks almost non-stop when we're at home or in the vehicle driving somewhere, says nothing when we're visiting others. Last fall we visited friends and I said at the beginning of the visit "You'll be lucky if you hear 10 words from him this afternoon." When our 4 hour visit was over, the eldest child of our host family said, "I counted. He said 12 words." I was impressed!
And in February, visiting other friends the week of Brown-Eyed Boy's birthday, our host said, "He's turning four? But he doesn't even talk yet!"
So, this kind of reticence is in his nature, part of who he is. I'm glad he's free enough to express himself with us, beautifully, creatively, humorously, and intelligently. And I love it when he feels comfortable enough with others to share his deeper personality with them.
What a treasure it is to see each of our children develop their own personality and style. The same family. Very different persons.
Praise the Lord!
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