The Power of YES

Hey everyone! It’s been a while, but life is crazy! I am now 11 weeks into my first year teaching Kindergarten. It’s definitely an exhilarating roller coaster ride, but so worth it! Over the past few days, I have done some reflecting on some things I have done and decisions I have made both in the classroom and my personal life. Through this period of introspection, I have found a common theme: the power of the word YES. It is so easy to say “no” or “not now” or “I don’t have time,” that YES is so powerful. The word YES is just as important to my crew of 5-6 year olds as it is to me. Below are some scenarios and reasons why YES is so significant and wonderful and oh so worth it.

Saying YES to my Kindergarteners

Ms. Huntsman, can you take a picture of us?

Yes. I say yes to this as often as I can because pictures capture memories. It is so easy to say “no,” while we’re on the playground or in class working in small groups because it forces me to stop whatever else I’m doing, but the “yes” means so much to them. They are asking me for a picture because they are proud of what they have created, are being kind, think they look good, or believe something is really cool. Saying yes to a simple picture validates my kiddos’ positive feelings about themselves. Plus, they’re just so cute.

Ms. Huntsman, can I see the picture you just took?

Yes. At first, I would say “not right now,” or “maybe later,” but after showing a few kids pictures I had taken of them and seeing their faces light up or one of my little girls looking at her picture and saying, “oohh pretty,” I stick to saying yes to this request.

Ms. Huntsman, can I hold your hand?

Yes. Sometimes, allowing a child to hold my hand whether we’re at the zoo, in the hallway, or walking back from recess is so much more important than making sure they are perfectly in line. There’s a reason that kiddo feels the need to hold my hand at that moment, and oftentimes, it’s that little bit of affection, comfort, or silent reassurance that child needs to go about their day in a positive manner. Whether or not I hold a child’s hand can literally be the difference between them having a good rest of their day and them spiraling into an emotional disaster they cannot explain.

Ms. Huntsman, can you read my library book as today’s read aloud before Specials?

Yes. This is probably my most important “yes” of my year thus far. The child that asked me this just wanted someone to read her library book to her. She reads the words she knows and fills in the rest by analyzing the pictures, but unlike the rest of my kids, her mom doesn’t read her library book to her at night because she can’t read English. I wish I could say that reading her book as our read aloud before Specials was my idea. It wasn’t. It was hers. All I had to do was say YES. And to think that I almost said “no, we have to do _____ before Specials today.” That precious angel thinks I made her day by saying YES. She said, “Thank you so much for reading my book today,” with the biggest smile and brightest brown eyes. What she doesn’t know is she actually made mine.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” –Angela Schwindt

Saying YES to myself and my adult(ish) friends

Will you go to the football game with me?

Yes. You might think this is an easy one for me because I LOVE college football and my Frogs. However, it’s not always an easy “yes.” Tickets are expensive and I have lesson plans to write, a classroom to organize, parents to email, etc. I could come up with hundreds of reasons to say “no,” but every time I go to a game I have a blast. I’m able to enjoy being with some of my best friends and get to forget about my responsibilities as a “grown up” with a real job…if even just for an evening. Sometimes, it’s not about the money or my full plate. It’s about letting go, enjoying myself, loving on my friends, and letting them love on me.

Can we do Friendsgiving?

YES. If you haven’t been following my posts, I was in the same Bible Study with the same ladies for four years. Every year of college (except maybe 1), we had Friendsgiving at our Bible Study Leader’s house. Once we graduated, much of our crew dispersed across the country, pursuing their careers and living out their passions. Lucky for me, there are still a few of us in DFW. Even though we are all crazy busy with jobs, grad school, and adulting, we were able to set aside time to get together and continue our tradition. This is so important because these women have been by my side through the good, bad, and ugly. They keep me grounded while giving me grace at the same time. They are encouragers who point me back to the Father. How could I say “no” when given a chance to fellowship with them? Answer: I won’t.

In a world filled with hectic schedules, deadlines, standardized testing, and pressing agendas, be the YES that a child hears…or the YES that you allow yourself to hear. Sometimes, “no” is so much easier, but YES means so much more.

Have a great rest of your week and enjoy Thanksgiving!

Yours truly,

Steph