Below is a poem we felt was appropriate to share and reflect on in during the process of better supporting and understanding the kids we interact with.
(Author is anonymous)
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving advice,
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
you are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem,
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
Listen! All I asked, was that you listen.
not to talk or do - just hear me.
When you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel,
no mater how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you
and get about the business of understanding
what's behind this feeling.
And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.
Feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them.
So, please, listen and just hear me. And if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn and I'll listen to you.
