I had my tonsils out when I was thirteen.
That’s significantly beyond the normal age to have tonsils out, don’t you think? I seem to do everything when I am older. ☺
My mother, to keep me occupied during the recovery, gave me a paint-by-numbers set. I loved it. Just follow the numbers and out came this gorgeous (that might be an exaggeration) painting of a horse.
For many years, I lived my life by ‘painting the numbers’ or something equivalent. You want to make chocolate chip cookies? Here’s the recipe. Just mix the right ingredients in the right order…and my father loved them.
You want a college degree? These are the requirements. Jump through these hoops…and a few years later, there it is. You want to teach school? Here’s what you must do to get your credential. Follow these steps…
You want a PhD…? You get the picture.
And then I started teaching school. Why didn’t those children fall into boxes? I wanted them to be quiet and listen. I had so much to share. They wanted to design, construct, and take it apart.
Why don’t the rules work? For vacation, he wanted to go to Hawaii. I wanted to go to spend time with my family. He wanted a new couch. I wanted to go take a class about how male and female brains differ.
Then I had a baby
No one has taught me more about human relationships than my son. He is my opposite.
Why was he squalling at midnight? Didn’t he know he was supposed to be cute and adorable in the daylight hours and sleep when it was dark? Why was he playing with my pots and pans instead of his toys? Why was he always moving? Couldn’t he just relax?
Opposites in adult and child
And that was only the beginning. I’m an introvert who is energized by ideas. He’s an extrovert who is energized by people. I’m field independent indicating that I am not unduly affected by my surroundings. He’s field dependent; he is pulled in by, almost becoming, part of his environment.
I’m abstract sequential. I like exact, well-researched information with a logical base. I appreciate a teacher who is an expert on the subject. There is never enough time to absorb and analyze the information I want.
My son is concrete random. He uses what I call a trial and error approach to solving problems. He identifies it as instinct and insight. He wants to try it himself rather than take my word for it. He hates keeping detailed records.
He didn’t want to follow my rules for which I am grateful. He found his own way and was smart enough to like himself as he is and not be a replica of me.
So I took on his position
I eventually gave up coloring inside the lines and painting by numbers. In fact, I decided to make my own lines, choose my own numbers, and mix my own colors. Now the picture isn’t so clear, but it is dramatically more vibrant and alive. And more intriguing and interesting.
Have I given up planning? – No!
But now I plan, yet still allow for the teaching moment. For example, a student has brought up a classroom management issue but the topic is not on the lesson plan. Nevertheless, let’s spend a few minutes as a group discussing this issue. What consequence might work and why?
The class might have intriguing perspectives. The example is poignant; the solution could be powerful. The students will remember this moment. A short bird walk away from my outline is worth it.
Coloring how I like it
Now I spend more time on things that fill my bucket: reading, cementing relationships with friends, eating out and going to the ballet!
Yesterday, it was the music of country/western star, Patsy Cline that set everybody’s toes to tapping. I wonder if the performers, when they signed up for this job, knew to whose music they would be dancing?
Coloring outside the lines helps prepare for the unknown. George Eliot wrote, “The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.” I want to choose.
Do they still make those painting by number kits? I have no idea. It doesn’t matter. I have a better way for me.
What do you do to fill up your “bucket”? Please tell us in the comments!
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