Let's Have a Talk

Like much of the midwest, we've enjoyed a very mild winter this year. The kids have been able to play outside nearly everyday, which has been so great. This week, it was nice enough to take a lunch to the children's garden and play.

The kids were playing and having a grand time. Addison was leading the way (as usual) and Jake was trailing along behind her. That is, until we got to this guy:

This tree guy (I have no idea what to call him)...has ledges inside that you can climb up to get into the tree house above. Addison was all about it, but Jake wanted nothing to do with it. He just stood there and shook his head saying, "No."

Addison kept trying to coax him, but Jake wasn't having it. What happened next both made me chuckle and warmed my heart. Addison walked over to Jake, put her arm around his shoulders, and walked with him away from the tree guy.

She said, "Jacob, come here, let's have a talk." She proceeded to tell him that the guy was just pretend.

Then she added "Look, doesn't it look like he's smiling?!?"

She tried to coach him through his fear for a good 5 minutes, but he wasn't budging.

So, why did this make me chuckle? Well, those of you who know my kids know that Addison is the fearful one and Jake, the fearless one...so this role reversal was funny to me.

Why did this warm my heart? Well, any mother of two young children would tell you that disagreements and squabbles between their kids can feel endless, and that has been the case in our home lately. I loved seeing Addison care for Jake, and though he wasn't convinced, Jake listened and accepted his sister's comfort. It was a sweet moment, indeed.