Teaching About Life... One Medicine Cup At A Time

Life. Isn't. Fair. 

You don't always get what you want.  It's not always rainbows and lollipops.  Sometimes you just have to do things, because you have to, whether you want to or not. 

We don't really want our kids to know this though, do we?  We secretly want them to live in the world of rainbows and lollipops as long as they can, because truthfully, it's a long fall down from the world of perfection. 

That's why, this morning, as I stood over my daughter feeling frustrated and sad and (I admit) even a little angry I found myself struggling to explain WHY my little girl HAD to TAKE HER MEDICINE.  At four, there are reasoning skills... and reasoning skills expect explanations.  But at four, our explanations will never really be good enough. 

 

 

I explained as best I could about the allergy monsters that were living in her nose and throat and chest. I explained that the clear, sludgy, strong smelling liquid would make her feel better, and that it would keep her from feeling worse.
And so, in exasperation, Gator mumbled in the most dramatically groggy voice she could muster at 7am that "This just isn't fair". And my brilliant, make it all better answer, you may ask?
Life. Isn't. Fair.
Because, well, it isn't. And it won't be tomorrow morning, or the one after that. But with those simple words I felt a few lollipops fall from the sky and crumble at my feet.
Growing up is happening every day, all around me, and even within me if I'm totally honest with myself. And it all hinges on life lesson number #1.
Life. Isn't. Fair.