“Of course there is a probably an insect in the house somewhere. It’s okay. Insects are a part of nature,” I said to the kids.
“And we’re a part of nature too,” my 11-year old added.
“And to be separate from nature would be like being separate from ourselves,” my 6-year old said.
My head turned around as each of them spoke, stunned as they paraphrased things I’ve said before. I realized that they do, indeed, listen to what I say as they add their slant to my words. It’s a reminder that I should be listening to what I say. That we all, collectively, should be listening to each other. The children are listening to us, and they will add their slant to our words.