know your child

(Note: first published via http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=142350205814376)

I knew I would be in for a surprise. But I went through it, anyway.  Joshua and I were doing my assignment-- yes, my assignment in Christian Motherhood class. For Josh' age, it was to be an interview-- a sentence completion interview.  He just need to complete  the sentence with anything that comes to his mind. No coaching nor editing. Can you imagine the struggle of a choleric-sanguine-editor mom? :-)  With Josh' permission, let me share with you what I've got:

(Note: Joshua's thoughts in lower case)

I LIKE TO... say "I love you."

MOTHERS ARE... good, caring for their children.

MY FAVORITE FOOD IS...(are)  hotdog, ham and potatos.

MY BEST FRIEND IS... (are) Benjamin, Trishan and Atishe.

I LIKE MY BEST FRIEND BECAUSE... they give me toys, and also they say "I want to be your friend."

I'M AFRAID WHEN... there's rain, lightning and thunder.

MY FAVORITE PLACE IS... IGSL because there are friends.

DADDIES ARE...talkative and huggable.

TODAY I FEEL... happy because my mom is interviewing me.

I GET MAD WHEN...I cannot have my way all the time.

THE BEST THING ABOUT MY HOME IS...my toy, my food and our cuddle in our very big bed.

IF I WERE A PARENT, I WOULD...buy toys for  my children, buy them food and give them what they want.

I LOVE TO... play pet house.

MY FAVORITE TOY IS...transformers.

MY FATHER...is taking care of me and loves me.

MY MOTHER...is a hip mom and is always kissing me and hugging me.

I DON'T LIKE...green leafy vegetables.

I WISH PEOPLE WOULDN'T...hate me.

WHEN I GROW UP, I...wanna be a pastor.

WHEN I'M ALONE, I...tun on the music and I'm happy.

I DON'T LIKE IT WHEN... I cannot have my way.

IT'S HARD FOR ME TO...be good all the time.

I HATE IT WHEN...kids fight my friends.

I WISH I COULD...fly in the sky.

I FEEL HAPPIEST WHEN...my mom and dad buy me toys.

I FEEL IMPORTANT WHEN...they (friends) obey or follow me.

I FELT LIKE CRYING WHEN...my mommy says "you're grounded."

IF I WERE A TEACHER, I WOULD...take care of my students.

WHAT I WANT MOST IS...(are) toys and things and cars.

I FEEL PROUD WHEN...small kids respect me.

SOMETHING THAT BOTHERS ME IS...when they disturb me from my play.

I'M GOOD AT...playing toys, singing and karate.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD IS... Jesus.

PS:

The interview gave me a glimpse of Joshua's soul, his love language, his bents, and his passion. There's more to discover, unleash and nurture in him. And every time I consider the weight of responsibility and the challenges of motherhood, I find myself looking up to God, our ultimate parent-- that by His grace,  I (with Rueland) will be able to parent Joshua well and nurture him to be the kind of man God designed him to be.

Three generations:
Joshua with daddy Rueland and (Grand)Papa-dear Lalano Badoy Sr.