This goes for the boys too! Thanks Monica for sharing. My own story of No (this is long but I really wanted to share it): We were visiting the Santa Monica Pier during a brief break from a car trip down to Orange County. There were some street performers - guys in their late-teens, early twenties in prime athletic shape and dressed in hip-hop clothing - jumping and flipping and breakdancing to hip hop music. It was very impressive! We stopped to watch their incredible acrobatics. One of the young men pulled Jackson (4.5) and two other little girls (maybe 7 & 8) into the middle of the crowd. The crowd was around 100 people! The three kiddos were lined up in a row and two of the performers headed out to opposite sides of the edge of the crowd, indicating that they intended to jump over the top of the three kids, criss-crossing in the middle. WOW! Wouldnt that be a feat?! Then, as the music continued to bump and build, it suddenly stopped. The main performer/breakdancer made comments about asking for donations for the performance and the rest of the dancers walked the crowd announcing when they had gotten tips. As they did this, Jackson waited patiently in the middle of the 100-person crowd of total strangers, waiting for something to happen. Once the last tip was given, the music started up again. One of the performers told Jackson to stand on the edge of the cardboard that was in the middle of the crowd. Jackson did it. The man got the crowd to start clapping their hands rhythmically. We did - to show our support for this darling little guy. The comments from the crowd were heartwarming: Look, hes so cute! and Hes so little, watch him! Then the performer told Jackson to start doing jumping jacks, Jackson stood with his hands behind his back and shook his head No. He didnt look upset or scared, just simply shook his head. The performer demonstrated and coaxed him and encouraged him. Jackson still, standing there patiently, shook his head No. The man encouraged him to get down and do push ups, once again demonstrating for him. Jackson stood patiently and shook his head No, hands behind his back. When it was obvious that Jackson wasnt going to do what the performer asked of him, the crowd gave him a cheer and the show moved on to the girls... and then it ended. As the crowd dispersed and we walked back to the car, I was disappointed that Jackson hadnt performed. It sure would have been cute! And Travis and I were encouraging him loudly... what gives?! But then it hit me... and I thought out loud to Travis, how impressive it was that our little 4.5-yr-old walked right out into that crowd, stood without any hesitation, waited patiently, and then, when some random stranger who hes never met before in his life told him to do something, Jackson assessed the situation and, despite any and all cheering, encouraging, demonstrating, decided Nope, not interested. Ill just watch, thanks. I was beyond-impressed at my little guys confidence and strength to say No Thank You even in front of 100 people cheering him on to do the opposite. Its a trait that will serve him well throughout life and I am charged with the responsibility to foster it (especially in those awkward teen years!). What an honor. Pat & Ginger, you might like reading this story so Ive tagged you.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 14:26:35 +0000
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