Proud Mama moment

So, Ethan's not a big fan of pens/pencils/crayons/etc. At least not for their intended purpose. He plays with them, but doesn't seem drawn (pardon the pun) to write or draw with them. He will occasionally colour/scribble in his colouring books, but prefers ME to sit beside him and colour. He commentates while I do so. Ha! He has resisted strongly when there is any sort of tracing or drawing in any of his activity books.

I admit, that in the past few months, I've been a bit discouraged that he has no interest in it. Especially after I learned that one of his little friends, who is 4 months younger, can write his own name. I'm not sure exactly what is causing the hesitation and resistance to purposeful writing and drawing, but it has bothered me.

But tonight was a little turning point. He brought me his magnetic doodle pad thingy and asked me to draw a person, specifically Ethan, of course. So I drew a little person for him. I turned to do something else and he had erased it, and the next thing I know, he's showing me a circle with two dots for eyes and a little crooked mouth that HE JUST DREW! Well, I don't usually gush all over him for every little accomplishment, but I was so excited and I was hugging him and telling him how fantastic it was. My kid drew a face! I almost cried. Then he spent another 15 minutes just drawing face after face after face and even experimenting with the mouth, to make it look "angry" or "disgusted" or whatever. He was very proud of himself and I'm sure Mom's gushy reaction helped spur him on. ;)

As with everything with Ethan, I know he has to be ready before he tries something. We can encourage until we're blue in the face, but Ethan has made it clear in his 4 short years that HE will decide when he progresses to a new level. In any area of his life. I need to remember to embrace that independence in him. Of course he will write and draw someday. Of course he will eventually hold the pen or pencil in a less awkward way. But for tonight, I'm so stinkin' proud that my kid drew a face. :)