Being married to the Primary President has it pros and cons.
I was asked to go sit with a Primary class during "singing time" today so that the Primary teachers could attend a "Teacher Development" class for one of the 2 hours of Primary.
I was asked to sit with the 3 yr olds. There were 5 or 6 kids. Not so bad. Then a little boy came and sat next to me. First of all, he didn't appear to have the capacity to control his body nor his outbursts. I tried and tried to keep him quiet and sitting reverently but couldn't. Deni knowing the situation better, had the little boy go sit by her and color. Even though they were doing their best to control his behavior, they still ended up getting his mom/grandmother to come sit with him.
After failing at keeping the 3 yr old under control, Deni asked me to sit with the 3 yr olds older brother that is about 5 yrs old.
I didn't do much better with the older boy either. However, I could at least understand the names he was calling me as I attempted to keep him quiet. At one point, as the 5 yr old was digging his fingernails into my arm, he looked at me as said- "You're fat, ugly, and stupid." Biting my tongue, I looked at him and told him - " I love you even though you are saying naughty things to me." Then I got he stuck out his tongue at me. After many attempts to keep the 5 yr old under control, I resigned to just keep him facing forward and somewhat quiet. Well at least until he started elbowing me in the side. I took his arm, got Deni's attention and she took him out. I stayed with the rest of the class.
While Deni had the 5 yr old out in the hall, he stuck his tongue out and then spit in her face.
I'm glad I wasn't out there in the hall.
So what did I learn today. I learned 2 things.
First, I'm thankful for my family. I have a wonderful wife who patiently puts up with other peoples lack of parenting every Sunday for 2 hours - she's an angel. I have a great son, Ryan and wonderful daughter, Sydney who are for the most part polite and well behaved kids. No matter how bad my kids act at home, they have NEVER been as disrespectful to anyone as these two brothers today.
Second, I'm grateful for my own calling of working with the 14 and 15 year old boys (and I'm sure glad I wasn't called to be the Primary teacher of either of these unruly kids.) If given the choice, I would choose to stay in the Young Men's for years and years, well at least until these 3 and 5 yr old brothers turn 14.
