Gò0dNews for Parents
Home Is Where Your Story Begins by Rev. Brenda Dedmon
I
have a print hanging in my home that reads, “Home Is
a few seconds between the end of one person’s
Where Your Story Begins.” Just recently, I have looked at
sentence and the beginning of the other person. This
that print and thought about memories of my home as a
gives time to absorb what is said and have empathy,
child. I have so many fun memories of my childhood. We
and it gives an opportunity to understand their view
did not have a lot of money, but I knew I was loved, and we
and then respond.
had a lot of fun as a family. My reflection as an adult makes me realize my life story did begin at home. I think my parents put into practice the
• Take an interest in your child’s interests. Your child’s favorite toys, hobbies, or interests are things they are strongly attached to. If you show no interest in
Scripture in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Connection is the relationship you have with your child. When you take the time and make an investment in being intentional in building a relationship, you gain the power of influence over your child that cannot be matched by any other parenting effort. The following are a few suggestions I believe will get you started in the right direction: • Learn and speak your child’s love language. “The 5 Love Languages of Children” by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell describes the ways children need to be loved. One example is if you constantly tell your child all the nicest things
their favorites, they may think you do not like them.
about them in passing, but their love language is
You do not have to love what they love, but you do
Quality Time. If you are not having enough alone time
have to show an interest. Allow them to talk about
with them, those nice things mean less. If you discover
what they love and why they love it. This will help
that inner language, you will have a greater impact.
your child feel a sense of belonging and is the kind of
• Listen more than you speak. God gave us two ears
bond needed for a relationship that leads to a positive
and one mouth, so perhaps we need to listen more than we talk. Everyone wants to be heard, even
parental influence. As you put these ideas into your relationship with your child, you are building trust between you and your child.
emotions, and their opinion. Children feel value
One day, your child will recognize how you did point them
when we listen to them actively. Actively listening is
in the right direction, and they will realize that home is
listening without thinking about what you are going
where their story did begin.
to say. Train yourself and your children to pause
36 // March 2021
About The Author
children. We should value their thoughts, feelings,
Rev. Brenda Dedmon is the retired director of the Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton. She is also an avid Bama, Roll Tide Fan!
