Summary

A mother uses the analogy of an airplane oxygen mask to teach her daughter the importance of self-care before helping others, only to have her lesson playfully turned back on her.

Abstract

In a humorous and insightful narrative, the author recounts a teaching moment with her daughter. After initially being too engrossed in her craftwork to eat, the daughter questions why her mother began her meal without her. The mother cleverly diverts her daughter's attention by posing a hypothetical scenario involving an airplane emergency, where the daughter instinctively chooses to help her brother first. The mother seizes this opportunity to impart a life lesson about the necessity of taking care of oneself before assisting others, using the oxygen mask metaphor. The story takes an amusing turn when the daughter later uses the same lesson to justify not refilling her mother's water bottle, demonstrating her understanding and application of the concept in a different context.

Opinions

The author believes in the importance of teaching children practical life lessons through relatable scenarios.
The mother in the story values the balance between selflessness and self-preservation, emphasizing that self-care is not an act of selfishness.
The daughter's response to the oxygen mask scenario shows a natural inclination towards caring for others, which is seen as a positive trait by her mother.
The mother is portrayed as having a playful and clever approach to parenting, using storytelling to manage situations and teach valuable lessons.
The daughter's application of the oxygen mask metaphor to a different situation indicates her ability to learn and adapt lessons to new contexts, which is a testament to effective parenting.

Be Careful What You Tell the Kids

Another mind-blowing moment with my 8-year-old!

After inviting my daughter at least 3 times to eat her dinner, I started to eat my meal.

She was busy with her craftwork, and when she noticed that I had already started eating, she was surprised.

She said: Mommy, how could you eat before giving me food?

I knew the only way to finish my meal without drama was to divert her mind from the present by pulling out a surprising story.

To create an interest in the story first, I said to her: let me give you a scenario and see if you pass that one. She was now listening.

I said: Ok, you are on the aeroplane with your brother. Now, the pressure inside the plane drops. You know how the oxygen masks will fall from above your seat. The question is, will you help yourself or your brother first?

She said without second thoughts, “Of course, I will help my brother.”

Aww…My irresistible urge to add some life lesson to the current situation was unstoppable.

I continued, “I am proud of you. Your answer is the right thing to do. But sometimes, we need to help ourselves first before we help others. What if you faint while trying to help because you were not wearing your oxygen mask first? So, always put on your oxygen mask first. It is not about being selfish but common sense.”

She looked confused and a bit impatient now.

She shrugged and asked, “Anyway, Mommy, are you planning to serve my dinner or not?”

I replied: “Actually, I am now putting on my oxygen mask.”🤪

She was not expecting that. My pride shone high through the ceiling that night. Little did I know what was about to come!

A few days later…

I called out to my daughter during bedtime and asked her to refill my water bottle.

She said in a loud, clear tone: “Always help yourself first before you help others!”

It was now my turn to be confused. I thought it was probably a proverb or something learned recently.

She giggled and clarified: “Well, it is your quote, Mom. Remember, the oxygen mask?!”

She left the empty bottle with me and walked away with a sense of pride that broke through the ceiling with no limits.

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