Accommodating the Needs of Others

My wife handles the hair braiding duties in our house. (This should come as a surprise to no one.)

She was away tonight, though, so I bathed our kids and got them ready for bed. I do this regularly, and I actually can braid my daughter’s hair, but it is never as good as when my wife does it. Furthermore, my wife often uses a French braid, which is better, as it stays in overnight despite having been slept on.

I’ve watched her do this many times, and decided that tonight I would try it. Most of the reason for this is that I know my daughter likes it better when she has a “tight braid,” as she calls it.

It turned out OK. Still not as good as my wife’s, but when it was finished, my daughter turned around and said, “this one is better than your usual braids.”

Mission accomplished.

Simple and everyday, but meaningful because it sent the message to my daughter that I was willing not only to try something I might not be good at on her behalf, but also to learn her preferences and seek to accommodate them.

Who could use a little accommodation from you? Whose preferences do you need to spend more time learning?

~ by stoshdwalsh on May 28, 2009.