Since becoming a parent, I've learned many lessons. I've been humbled and struck by how little I know about so many things. One of the major lessons I've learned this year is how much I suck at teaching. I always knew it was not a strength of mine but boy am I bad at it. When EV was really young, it was a lot easier, but now that she's learning more difficult things, I am really appreciating her teachers more each day.
Let me give you an example. EV has been taking piano lessons this year. She loves it! The first couple of months was easy, but it's starting to get more difficult. She has to actually concentrate and try. So, as we start a new piece, she starts playing a bunch of notes. They are all wrong. I ask her what notes she's supposed to play. She tells me, she proceeds to play, and again it's all wrong. I get mad, "What's the matter? Why are you playing those notes when you just told me the notes are A, B, C?" She mutters something under her breath and proceeds to play, this time some of it is right but most is still wrong. I'm even more mad, "Pay attention! Read the notes! What are you doing?" She now has tears in her eyes but somehow we both get through it and 20 minutes later she's playing the piece as if she knew how to play the piece the whole time.
Now, I'm not proud of my anger, I'm actually really ashamed. I've apologized more to EV this past year than I have to anyone. Ask my sister, she'll tell you how I hate to apologize. It just shows how much Jesus I need so I can calm down, be more patient, show more gentleness and self-control. I know everyone has their own gifts and talents, mine obviously isn't teaching. I am so grateful that EV has had so many wonderful teachers in her life that are patient, loving, understanding, and gentle with her. I am also so thankful that for the most part EV is a quick learner. It'll be interesting to see how Emmett is but I have a feeling that I may need more than patience with this little boy.
