1 mile: I had one of the most humorous but also thought-provoking moments as a teacher today. I asked one of my students to help another student in figuring out an adjective. However, my directions were the following: Make sure you do not say the adjective. Rather, just tell the students what category it fall under and maybe he or she can figure it out. The students was stumbling a bit trying to direct the student without actually telling her the answer and finally the answer just slipped out. We had a lot of giggles from the class, and I made sure to thank the student for trying to direct. 

Me: "Facilitating is a bit harder than you think!"

Student: "Mrs. Amoscato. This is why I could never be a mom!"

(The whole class burst out laughing)

Me: "What do you mean by that, friend?"

Student: "Moms have to do things like that all the time where they help but they cannot say the answer. I just don't think I'm cut out for that."

Me: "Well you have a lot of time to decide that. In the meantime, I think we can get better at those facilitating skills."

I have quite honestly never laughed so hard in class in my life. However, I have to give a shout out to all of the mothers out there. Thank you for your talent in directing but most importantly facilitating in a way that has allowed your children to navigate life freely but also with purposeful direction. It's a tough answer to "guide without telling" and I do think my student has it right: Moms do not get the credit they deserve.

May we all realize the challenge it takes to encourage someone else to navigate his/her life without giving them the compass to do so.