As soon as I woke up and went to the living room, I made eye contact with the 4-year-old. She grinned and said, “Piggyback ride, please?”. It’s our daily life lately.” What are we gonna something to make today?”, “Right now!”, she really looked forward to crafting what we talked about last night. But I finished my morning work, I told her, “We can make it in the afternoon, can you wait a little?” She seemed not to want to accept it.
She was waiting a long time, so as soon as it arrived, she came here immediately. It was rainy, so we created a torn-paper art design of an umbrella. Since she had so much colored paper to put on, she was having fun making the craft, even though she said, “I’m tired!”. I used the cut-out pieces from the umbrella to make an Easter bunny, and after she drew the face, it turned out so cute. Today is Friday, which means fish and chips day! The children, who love helping out, were divided for flour duty and breadcrumb duty, and they worked together in a kind of assembly line. I was assigned “egg duty” by the 4-year-old girl, so I joined in. They also helped with the laundry. The 2-year-old boy was so eager to help, wanting to do everything, from carrying the clothes to putting them in the washing machine, adding detergent, and pressing the button. After finishing, he always has a big smile of accomplishment and gives me a high five. I want to cherish these feelings of “wanting to do something” and “having accomplished something.”
After bath time, a 4-year-old girl brought a hairbrush, and she brushed my hair. A 4-year-old girl said, “Your hair is very nice! Nice black hair!” She praised me many times. In Japan, many people dye their hair different colors, but I realized that people from other countries who don’t have naturally black hair might find it attractive. I’ve dyed my hair many times, but this experience made me realize that naturally black hair isn’t bad at all! A 4-year-old girl has a new favorite thing to do before bed. She is asking, “What are we gonna make tomorrow?” and “Can you show me a video (of craft ideas)?”. When I tell her “Next Monday,” she asks, “How many sleeps until then?” I told her “Maybe three,” but she said, “Maybe one!”. I’m happy that she’s looking forward to it and to seeing our relationship improve.
朝起きてリビングに行って、4歳の子と目が合うとすぐに、ニヤニヤしながら「piggyback please」と言ってきた。最近の日常。「何か作ろう」「今！」と昨日寝る前に話していた工作のことを楽しみにしていた。でも朝の仕事時間は終わってしまったから、「午後になったら一緒に作ろうね」というと最初は受け入れたくなさそうだった。
その午後を待ち続けていたから、その時間が来たら真っ先にこちらに来た。雨が降っていたから、傘のちぎり絵製作をした。たくさん貼らないといけなかったから、「疲れた」と言いながらも楽しそうに作っていた。傘の切り抜いた部分でイースターバニーを作って、顔を描いてもらったら可愛らしく出来上がった。今日は金曜日なのでフィッシュアンドチップスの日。お手伝いが大好きな子どもたちは今日も粉係、パン粉係に別れて、流れ作業でお手伝いをしていた。私も「卵担当ね」と4歳の子に言われ参加した。洗濯をするのも手伝ってくれた。2歳の子は必死に運んだり、服を洗濯機の中に入れて、洗剤を入れてボタンを押すまで全部やりたい気持ちで溢れていた。終わった後は達成感の笑顔で、いつもハイタッチする。この「やりたい」と「できた」の気持ち大切にしてあげたい。
お風呂後は、ヘアブラシを持ってきてひたすら髪をとかれていた。笑 ４歳の子が「黒い髪が素敵」と何度も褒めてくれた。日本では多くの人が黒以外に染めてみたいとヘアカラーしたりするけど、黒髪でない海外の人からしたら素敵って思ってくれるんだなあと思った。染めたことは何度もあるけど、生まれながらの黒髪も悪くないなって気づかせてくれた！寝る前には「明日何作る？」「（製作見本の）動画見せて！」と、４歳の最近の楽しみ。「次の月曜日ね」と言うと「後何回寝たら？」と言ってきた。「3回かな」と言うと「1回がいい」と言っていたけど、楽しみにしてくれてるのが嬉しいし、関係性が良くなってきているのが見えて嬉しい。
コメント