We like to take “credick” in my family. And we are not ashamed to openly claim it. Some of us ask for it more than others, but it’s generally accepted that no one is responsible for their own successes and/or accomplishments. Somebody else ALWAYS contributed in some way and they MUST be recognized. Not necessarily a bad thing, but believe me when I say it CAN be overdone.
So, to counteract the possible overemphasis on TAKING credit, I’m trying to teach Day how to GIVE credit (before it’s even asked for). She loves to give credit to her “Bebe” for most of the clothes and shoes she has. She routinely asks, “Who gave me this?” And I answer, ____. She’ll correct me (another commonality in my family) and say, “No, Bebe gave me this. THANK you, Bebe.”
The other night we were coming home from my mom’s house. It was getting dark and there was a beautiful sunset and rising moon. We were all looking at it and talking about how pretty is was. Day said, “Who did that?” I said, “God did that.” She said, “THANK you, God.” Melt my heart… just when I think it can’t get better than that she asks, “Who made me?” So, embracing my teachable moment for all it is worth, I told her, “God made you.” Instead of the “THANK you, God” that I expected there was silence. She was thinking. Then she corrected me. “No, mommy. The doctor made me.” We fell out laughing. And of course, technically, the doctor deserves his share of the credit. THANK you, Doctor!
THIS is happy. |