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I thought I'd share this here. It made me feel really good
yesterday---and it's not so often that "our" parenting choices impress
others. Usually we're criticized for being "indulgent" or "permissive"
or something equally negative.

Duncan and I (and the guide dog, Rotey) were eating lunch at a deli. A
man---he was young-ish---early-mid thirties?---sat down behind Duncan.
I noticed he was listening in on our conversation and looking over
every now and then.

We ate, read Yu-Gi-Oh! cards, talked about the beach & the guide dogs,
shared pickles, wrapped a present for a friend's birthday party. I told
him how to spell "Happy Birthday" on the card.

The fellow got up to leave but stopped by our table and said, "I
couldn't help but notice...." Now---usually that means something about
the guide dog, so I was ready with guide dog talk.<g>

But he said, "You are really good with him."

I thanked him.

He said, "You don't see that very often."

I said, "No, you don't."

"I just wanted to say something. Most parents don't treat their kids
like that."

I said, "Thank you for noticing and for commenting. It's always nice to
hear."

Duncan got a HUGE grin and kept that smile all afternoon! <g>

I make a point of complimenting moms who are sweet with their kids
when I see it too---it's just so rare. It's nice to be on the receiving
end of the compliment! <bwg>

Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
October 6-9, 2005
http://liveandlearnconference.org