If you’ve been reading this blog for some time, you may be pretty familiar with Veer, my nephew. The first of the next generation. Our brilliant little scientist who now runs his own channel on YouTube.
Back when I lived in the Bay Area, I spent nearly every weekend in Monterey/Salinas. Watching this little baby develop into the big 6-year old he is now.
So it’s weird that he keeps growing and developing when I’m not around to watch it happen.
But thankfully, we’ve got Facetime and other forms of technology to keep us in the loop. Yesterday, Ankur and I Facetimed the Bajaj Juniors and got to hear about his first visit from the tooth fairy.
$5. A toothbrush. And a note.
That’s a dedicated tooth fairy.
Anyway, our short conversation with him flooded me with ALL the emotions. I was brought back to so many of our shared memories and experiences.
Prior to being Veer’s mama, Bhabhi was a teacher.
So it made sense that she brought all the “best practices of teaching” into their home.
Positive reinforcement, constant conversations around the WHYs and WHY NOTs, and teaching Veer how to effectively communicate his wants and needs.
Encouraging his persistence and effort with quick and specific feedback.
“You are doing it!”
“Oh wooooow. Look at you read that word!”
“GOOD JOB Veer! Keep going!”
After some time, these encouragements and reassuring expressions were eventually written into the wiring of Veer’s brain.
You could be in the middle of playing basketball with him and, all of a sudden, if the ball even skimmed the rim of his Fisher-Price basketball net, you would see him throw his little toddler hands up in the air and scream, “Oh wooooooow!”
During a difficult time finishing up dinner, he would look up at me and say, “Good job Veer-u!” as he polished off another slice of cucumber.
Any time something was frustrating for him, he would mimic the voices of his parents and say, “Keep going!” or “You can do it!”
It was like the action (A) and the encouragement (B) were no longer two distinct things.
He was doing A. So he gave himself B.
He didn’t need anyone to provide B for him.
His brain had been wired to know that A and B went hand-in-hand.
And he didn’t need to wait for his mama or papa to give him B anymore.
He just knew that if he was attempting to do A, B should be right there to help with A.
I hope that that never changes.
I hope he will always find the support and encouragement he needs within himself.
It’s something that I always admired about my now-6-year-old nephew. Something I wish I did more of myself. Encouraging myself and telling myself I CAN.
There are some lessons that only a toddler can teach you.
And I’m so lucky to have had this one in my life.
Questions of the Day:
- Do you have/Have you had a toddler in your life that’s teaching you how to live your best life?
- What are some ways you reflect and give yourself the positive pep talk you need?
Thank you for sharing this. I have a toddler and I try to encourage her most of the time. She gets frustrated when she can’t do something. Love how your sister and her husband encourages. Good lesson.
My daughter is currently 21 months old and I’ve learned a lot from her in her short, little life. I know she’ll continue to teach me so much more as she grows too!
Hes not a toddler anymore but I am beyond proud of my 12 year old. Hes super tiny compared to his class mates, always has been. It was easier for him to brush off the jokes in elementary but middle school has been tougher. On top of that, hes taking 3 classes with highschool credits, A/b honor roll and just wrapped up another swim session. His first day of swim he was put into the advanced class, when he was supposed to be in the beginners. This little man hung in and insisted on finishing the whole class even though he was struggling, he pushed through and amazed us all. Even after needing his inhaler, he jumped back in and kept swimming. He decided after that, that swimming for race wasn’t for him but he showed up day after day until his commitment was done. My heart soars at his strength!
Kim M recently posted…Whats Up Weekend {November 3rd}
This is incredibly encouraging! What a great way to build confidence! I must say this is not a natural response for me! Toward my children or toward myself! It will take some practicing, and grace, to get myself to change responses and thoughts, but I have truly been inspired by Bhabhi and Veer! PS He’s adorable! <3
I love this! We really can learn the simplest lessons from watching kids. I see the same types of things in my little guy and I should really apply those moments to my own life too!
Beth recently posted…November Mantras and Goals
Toddlers teach us so many lessons! My little girl is honestly just so HAPPY about everything that it’s contagious. Even when you’re frustrated you can’t help but smile.
Shelby @Fitasamamabear recently posted…Coconut Flour Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
I love this! I have a 2 year old and can relate to the fact that they teach us more than I can teach him =) This is such a great reminder! Great post, as always!
Laura @ The Mindful Mom Blographer recently posted…2-Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation – Frozen Sunset
He is absolutely precious! I definitely need to take a look at his YouTube… that is amazing. I learn a lot from my toddler, too. 🙂
Divya Budhraja-Mathur once again at her best with her words, expressions and feelings!! I have three toddlers teaching me that I learn every day from. One happens to be Aishwarya Khurana who’s has more energy than an entire classroom of kids. She I get a daily dose of and the other two are one you blogged another the other happens to be his little sister Jiya. This morning the happen to be doing Bhangra as they awaited to board their flight for Shadi!!!!
Aw, I love this! What a wonderful little boy. Sometimes you really do learn the best lessons from the youngest people.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Weekend in Review: Blog Swap, Readathon, and Thor: Ragnarok
It’s so amazing what children can teach us. My daughter reminds me every day that anything is possible! 🙂 Veer sounds like such an amazing little boy!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries recently posted…Week 44: The Magic Between the Past and the Future | Everyday Nostalgia
Veer sounds like a remarkable little boy with an amazing mama. Positively reinforcing good behavior is so important in child development. He is lucky everyone around him understands and reinforces that!
Oh goodness, what a sweet little boy <3 his parents are doing a wonderful job encouraging him through life’s challenges so he doesn’t get discouraged. What a wonderful lesson that is 🙂
Charlotte recently posted…November goals
Awe, this is so sweet and encouraging. You are clearly wonderful parents that have given your son the gift of self confidence and self soothing. So few parents do this for their children any more… well done!
Aww this is so cute! What great lessons.
Totally agree with this post. This is important to help your kids have a positive approach toward life. Wonderful post.