Kindness Counts

Today my son had the book fair at school. A very exciting event for a first grader. I gave him $20.00. An even bigger deal that he had his “own” money to spend. He put the money in the little Velcro pocket in his pants and checked that it was still there every few minutes until he left for school. He kept saying “Really?! I can spend the whole thing?” I told him yes as long as it was on books and not posters and stickers. Aidan came home from school with 2 books. A book about Navy Seals and a book about Ninja’s. He was so impressed with his choices. Going on and on about how these are books that his Daddy would read. So cute. I looked at the books. Small paperbacks. They cost $4.00 each.

Did you get anything else?

No.

Oh. Where is the change?

What change?

Your books only cost $8.00 I gave you $20.00 so you should have $12.00.

I don’t have $12.00.

Did you lose it?

Nope.

Sometimes getting answers from Aidan is like pulling teeth. You have to ask him the right question to get the real answer. It’s like playing a never ending game of clue. You have to come to your own conclusion by process of elimination. Did you leave the money at school? Is it still in your pocket? Did you give it to your teacher? Are you saving it for tomorrow? Did you buy something in the cafeteria? Did you get change? Are you sure you didn’t lose it? Did you give it to someone else? BINGO! He didn’t say anything yet but I knew that was the answer. Aidan has no poker face.

AIDAN! Did someone take it from you or did you give it to them? Why would you give someone your money? Do you know you gave away more than you spent on yourself? Why would you do that?

You always say kindness counts. ________ didn’t have any money so I gave him mine. He never gets money for these things. I felt bad. Are you mad?

Kindness counts. He gets it. The kid that he gave the money to is not even some one that he is friends with. In fact it’s someone he doesn’t even get along with. He really gets it.  

There are things your kids will be taught at school. They will be graded on all kinds of tests and measured by all different standards. Some areas they will shine others not so much. They will get certificates and pizza parties for perfect attendance and flying colors on standardized tests. None of that will compare to moments like this. When you realize they are living the lessons you have been so desperately trying to teach them every day by being their example. When you realize they get it.