Every interaction between parent and child involves choice. The great painter, Benjamin West, told the story of how, as a young boy, he decided to paint a picture of his sister while his mother was not at home. He took out the bottles of ink and started to draw, but soon he had made an awful mess.
His mother eventually returned home and saw the mess. But instead of scolding him she listened to another inner voice. She chose to pick up the portrait and she declared: “What a beautiful picture of your sister!” Then she kissed him. Later in life, Benjamin West said: “With that kiss, I became a painter.”
