Another mind-blowing moment with my 8-year-old!

Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels

After inviting my daughter at least 3 times to eat her dinner, I started to eat my meal.

She was busy with her craftwork, and when she noticed that I had already started eating, she was surprised.

She said: Mommy, how could you eat before giving me food?

I knew the only way to finish my meal without drama was to divert her mind from the present by pulling out a surprising story.

To create an interest in the story first, I said to her: let me give you a scenario and see if you pass that one. She was now listening.

I said: Ok, you are on the aeroplane with your brother. Now, the pressure inside the plane drops. You know how the oxygen masks will fall from above your seat. The question is, will you help yourself or your brother first?

She said without second thoughts, “Of course, I will help my brother.

Aww…My irresistible urge to add some life lesson to the current situation was unstoppable.

I continued, “I am proud of you. Your answer is the right thing to do. But sometimes, we need to help ourselves first before we help others. What if you faint while trying to help because you were not wearing your oxygen mask first? So, always put on your oxygen mask first. It is not about being selfish but common sense.

She looked confused and a bit impatient now.

She shrugged and asked, “Anyway, Mommy, are you planning to serve my dinner or not?

I replied: “Actually, I am now putting on my oxygen mask.”🤪

She was not expecting that. My pride shone high through the ceiling that night. Little did I know what was about to come!


A few days later…

I called out to my daughter during bedtime and asked her to refill my water bottle.

She said in a loud, clear tone: “Always help yourself first before you help others!

It was now my turn to be confused. I thought it was probably a proverb or something learned recently.

She giggled and clarified: “Well, it is your quote, Mom. Remember, the oxygen mask?!

She left the empty bottle with me and walked away with a sense of pride that broke through the ceiling with no limits.

© Tamil, 2022

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Tamil here.

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