My younger son is so caring, I don’t want him to change

My younger son and I are always forgiving each other. We are always making up — bringing out the very best in each other.

A most expressive boy he is.

He will wake up on a Sunday morning and exclaim what a beautiful day it is.

He will say how much he loves his brother and how we are a happy family.

He will caution you when he sees you getting angry with someone.

The other day, I was checking out his homework. I always do, to ensure that no mistakes have passed since his nanny is semi-literate.

I know it is a bad habit but he normally does his homework with the TV on.

I can swear that cartoons are his first love and when he is not sleeping or playing, he is watching them. I dare say the animations have contributed to his good grasp English grammar, but I am yet to convince him that doing his homework requires all his attention.

So, on this particular day, he did his Math homework in so much hurry that it was dotted with careless mistakes.

Tired from the office, I was not happy about that and I gave him a pinch or two on his thigh even as I admonished him.

FELT SORRY

Granted, he was upset and asked why I was pinching him. Did I not want him not to walk again?

He went ahead to tell me that he had not written the numbers outside the squares on purpose and that he would henceforth try to do it better.

I almost felt sorry for the misery I had caused him.

This he said in a lilted voice, with a small smile playing on his lips and I had to try hard to hide the laughter now bubbling in me. The boy corrected his mistakes, put the book in his bag and looked me in the eye and said I could say sorry to him, then he says sorry to me and we can then become friends again.

USUAL HUGS AND KISSES

And that is exactly what happened. I apologised for pinching him and he apologised for pinching me and then we were back to our usual hugs and kisses.

The laughter from him was infectious and the house was once again filled with warmth. I pray that the little boy never changes.

I am so keen on his moods and I have noticed he does not keep grudges and is quick to forget whatever wrong has been done to him.

For now, I am learning how to ensure that the little boy never learns how to keep grudges.

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