Good Times

An Election Day focused on togetherness…get it where you can.  Here at Mikey’s Journal, we are nothing if not a refuge from the insanity.

Michael and Will had friends over since it was a half day…more daylight for outside zaniness! 

As I look at these photos, I am struck by something I didn’t realize at the time.  When we hung out in groups, it allowed the kids to take turns spending one-on-one time with Mikey. His friend S, helped him with his play doh candy factory and Will ran with him while another friend threw the ball to all the other kids and our dog Ruby.  Then S read a book with him later. The group takes the pressure off of the kids. One person didn’t feel like they needed to be right by Mikey’s side the whole time. That allowed Mikey to choose activities he liked while the other kids could also get a chance to do things they liked.  Fun for the whole group!

This also reminds me of something I used to ask Mikey’s classmates on my school visits. 

Two Minutes

I asked them for a favor.  I said that if they see someone in their class alone at recess that they give them two minutes of their time.  Not just Michael, anyone.  I know kids don’t have an exact sense of what two minutes is, but they know it’s quick.

Here’s My Thinking

Sometimes, in school classrooms, if you are the kind, tolerant, accepting kid, the teacher ALWAYS pairs you with the most difficult kid.  You essentially get yourself stuck in a caretaker role, even on days when you could use some love yourself.

However, if the classroom culture is to give someone who is alone a couple of minutes of your time, then it’s a revolving door of kindness and inclusion. No ONE kid needs to take on that role every day…AND…when a child wants to try out being the caretaker or buddy, they won’t feel so much pressure. It’s only two minutes, after all.