A parent watches me finish up a lesson with her kid.
Parent: “You’re really good with her. She really listens to you.”
Me: “Aw, thanks.”
Parent: “Not to scare you, but…you know it won’t be that way with your own kids, right?”
Um, yeah lady. The success of my entire home-tutoring career stems from the premise that kids don’t listen to their parents.
Teaching kid a new math skill…
Kid: “Can you show me one more time? I’m not ready to try.”
Me: “I showed you several times– at this point you will learn best by doing it yourself. Just give it a try!”
Kid: “But sometimes I get afraid to try.”
Me: “There is nothing to be afraid of. Trying is how you learn, and if it doesn’t go the way you want it to, that just gives you good information for how to try again. Learning and success is a process, kiddo!”
Kid: “So you mean if I get it wrong, just learn from it?”
Me: “Yes! You got it!”
Kid: “When you say it like that, it doesn’t sound so scary.”
Me: “Exactly. It really is THAT easy. Just try! I promise you, you have nothing to lose!”
(2 hours later)
Therapist: “So have you taken any steps to pursue a writing career?”
Me: “No. I’m too afraid to try.”
Two hours into a 24-hour babysitting stint with my nephew, and I’ve already run through all the emotions.
One minute later:
One hour later:
My nephew just started school.
An acquaintance who lives in my building stops me in the lobby.
Woman: “Oh! Emily! You’re a tutor, right?”
Me: “Yes, I am!”
Woman: “So you walk dogs?”
Having one of those mornings where I’m feeling antsy, restless, and a little lost. So like any highly educated, emotionally intelligent individual, I turned to my decision-making paperweight spinner for answers.
Me: “So like, in life in general, Spinning Paperweight….what next?”
Ok, so. Babies.
I did a summer writing project with a 4th grader, who had free rein to choose a topic for an editorial, narrative, and informational piece. He chose football for all three. I warned him this was not my area of expertise.
Me (editing his piece): “What do you mean by ‘it makes it harder for the offense to juke?'”
Kid: “Like, for the player to change direction to avoid another player.”
Me: “Ah, got it. And what is ‘an audible?'”
Kid: “Seriously?”
Me: “I only know the adjective ‘audible.'”
Kid (head in hands, frustrated): “Oh, my god, Miss Emily. It’s like I have to explain EVERYTHING.”
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