So after a rough evening (“after” for me, Sarah is still with Susan) and while I’m waiting for Sarah to come to bed, I’m thinking about the many things that cause those meltdowns in our children. Mine had multiple meltdowns tonight — they’re usually okay, but meltdowns do happen occasionally. And when I say meltdown, I mean any combination of crying, defiance, screaming, running, pulling, rolling, hitting, refuse-to-go-to-bed…you get my drift.
I think that kids don’t quite understand what is going on around them — but I firmly believe that they *absorb* the emotion from around them. So, for example, if there is the feeling of anger around them — even unspoken — the child can take that anger on. They’re not equipped to deal with it in any way other than crying or becoming “angry” or something similar themselves. Not to say this always happens, but I really think it can. I also happen to believe that my children got my sense of empathy. (Believe it or not, I do get emotional…just stays inside until I feel it is okay to let go of it. But I do cry pretty easily for a “guy”…but there’s nothing wrong with it!
So…when you combine the absorption of emotions with a lot of travelling, late hours, short/no naps, and simply not being at home, that can make for a fun evening.
But then you sit back and watch them sleep afterwards (if you’re not already deep asleep yourself) and smile because you love them.
