A Time for patience

A Time for Patience 
      Patience is defined in the dictionary as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. Throughout the times we are presently forced to tolerate, I cannot believe that there is any greater quality needed than patience.   
     We must spend a lot of time right now with our children who are not in school.  We need to get to know them and tolerate their moods and actions.  We need to be patient with them and with ourselves in a rare situation through this virus attack.   
     Patience can be taught to our children as we attempt to help them at home. They need to be patient with themselves when we limit their screen time which may be all they know to do with their out-of-school time. They need to be patient with their siblings when they get little break from them. They need to be patient with you as their “substitute teacher--more patient than they have been with the substitute teachers in school.   
     If we teach patience as a strength when dealing with people, as courage, as something that makes our children healthier and happier, we will accomplish more learning than they receive in school. If we teach them patience as steadfastness in face of the teasing and tormenting from siblings, we will also help ourselves to have patience. If all of us can remain calm in waiting for this to pass, we will have become better people, patient people. 
          Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you are waiting.  
          Saumya Gupta ​
​      (See specific articles to learn how to grow patience in your children of all ages.)