Let go, love the mistakes, reap the reward

Ok, I admit, I'm a bit anal when it comes to teaching my kids.

I'm the parent who spent time with all 3 kids as they learned to read.  And, especially with my older 2, no slip, no matter how minor, escaped parental correction.

"That's 'they' sweetie, not 'the'."

"Double check that word, that's 'any,' not 'an'"

This anal-compulsion carried over to my review of their writing:

"Kitten has 2 t's, not one, hon."

"Don't say 'writed,' it's 'wrote'"

Picky, picky, picky.  I did it for their own good, to make sure they knew the proper way to use words and to communicate.  I might have gone overboard a few times with the pickiness, and, as a result, almost killed my oldest son's love of reading (he's recovering nicely, thank-you) and was almost permanently shunned by daughter after a particularly nit-picky stint.

I'm evolving.  #3 child, Mr. Chaos himself, Loki personified, refuses to be tamed, bridled or taught on any but his own terms.  And, because he refuses to comply with the brightest of smiles and laughter, I have no choice but to follow his lead.  And this less than perfect reader and speller leaps into learning for his OWN joy and entertainment.  Recently, he presented a card to me.  It was a thank-you card, and he had scratched out the words 'thank-you' on the front of the card, proclaiming it his Mother's Day card for me.

Inside the card a purple bird flew under a red and yellow sun towards a tree that shaded purple, yellow and red flowers.  Loki had written the following:

deer mom

yor rea

mi fafr

it mom

in the

hl in tir

wrld Love, E"

translation: Dear Mom.  You're my favorite mom in the whole entire world.  Love, E"
 

I may have to throw away every dictionary, easy reader and grammar book I own.

Never underestimate smiling, mischievous Loki.