Piper wore a pretty dress to school one day. Of course, she had to wear nice dress shoes to go with it. This meant that she had to take tennis shoes to change into for P.E. class. No big deal. When I went to pick Piper up from school she was wearing her pretty dress and her Nike tennis shoes. Perhaps she didn't have enough time after P.E. class to change her shoes. Or maybe she just didn't feel like putting her dress shoes back on. I didn't think too much of it. This is Piper we are talking about and I cannot understand why she chooses to wear what she chooses to wear sometimes.
When we got home, Piper says, "I gave my shoes to my friend because she was just dying to have them." I was almost in shock. I knew I had to respond, but how? I wasn't quite sure how to respond.
What would you have done if your daughter gave away these shoes?
Piper hadn't really done anything bad. Was it wrong for her to give away a pair of shoes? It was just a material item.
After I got over the initial shock, I told Piper that it was very nice to give away her shoes. But next time, she needs to ask Mommy or Daddy if she can give them away. She can tell her friend that she needs to ask her Mommy or Daddy before she gives whatever away that her friends want.
Through the years, I have come to realize that Piper's love language is gifts. She was showing her friend how much she likes her by giving her a pair of shoes.
I told Piper that if her friend gives her shoes back, to bring them home. When Piper got home from school the next day, I asked her if her friend gave her shoes back. She said, "No, she was wearing them at school." I just had to laugh!
What would you have done?
I hope that I would have done the same. I think the way you responded taught her that it's okay to be generous, but to also be responsible. I would fear that reprimanding her would hinder a kind and giving heart. After all, shoes get to be pretty expensive, but growing a giving heart in someone so young is much more valuable.
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