Lay down your weapons ...

In amongst some beautiful play today for Frankie, Mika, Oliver, Samson and Kornelius; Frankie came running to me and almost landed in my lap.  'What's up Frankie?' I asked.

'Dere playing shooting,' she said as she held up her hand like a gun and made a noise to match.  I looked over, and saw Oliver, Samson and Kornelius; the boys had all just picked up sticks and leant over a log and started a game where they were shooting things.

They were just caught up in the moment and playing their game ... yet Frankie really didn't like it. 

What to do in those moments so that it doesn't become a lecture about guns or interruption to play that makes things feel bad and wrong for the children ... ?

I looked at Frankie and asked, 'Are you scared Frankie?'  She snuggled into me and said, 'Yes'.

I suggested to Frankie that she tell the boys how she felt.  I called to them to make it easy for her to do so, 'Hey, Kornelius, Samason, Oliver, Frankie wants to tell you something ...'

... ... and she did.

They all looked at me and then at Frankie and the minute Kornelius looked into Frankies face and saw how she was, he melted and said, 'Oh .. I'll put mine down.'

Samson and Oliver followed suit.  Frankie looked at the boys and said, 'Thankyou'.

A moments quiet still peace.

'Hey', called Samson, 'let's be super heroes instead.' 

Instant bouyancy and off the three boys went.  'Astro Boy', 'Kornelius' and 'Sarah' (as Oliver chose for his superhero name) ... happy super heroes at play and one little Frankie feeling safe and cared about by her friends. 

Mika took Frankies hands at this point and together the two girls danced.  Mika had watched the whole thing happen and was full of joy when Frankie felt safe ... the two girls are really enjoying each other and expressing a lot of love and care for each other.

The power of letting your friends know how you feel.  The wonder of being heard and cared about.

Spontaneous, hearfelt and a wonder to witness ... and peace prevailed for all.