Be The Example
Be The Example
Be careful what you say about other people and yourself around your children. Practice speaking the truth in love regardless of whether the kids are around or not. Remember, how you say something is just as important as what you say.
Listen. Really listen before you respond.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change When your children talk do you give them your full attention? As parents we are often consumed with taking care of the house, work related concerns, family issues and everything else that comes with being an adult, that we rarely take the time to give our children our full attention. I’ve been guilty of it too, but when I see the look on our beautiful daughters face, I know that the few minutes that I took to show her that I value what she has to say were worth it. Those few minutes are an investment in your future relationship with your child.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 For children asking comes easy, but for a lot of adults it is a struggle. Maybe it’s pride or maybe we were told, one too many times, to stop asking so many questions when we were a kid. Whatever it is or was, stop. Yes, I said stop. Start by asking your kids what they need from you and how they feel. Show them that you care about their feelings and their interest. Encourage them to ask you questions. Remember to avoid the “because I said so” response. Be The Example Be like a kid and ask. When we don’t ask for help we add unnecessary stress to our life. Asking allows the people that love us to express their love by serving us. Plus, it allows our children to see that there is no shame in asking, giving, or receiving. Children are a gift and when you take the time to get to know them you are on your way to building a healthy parent-child relationship that will last a lifetime.
Dorothy Whitfield Dorothy is a wife, the mother of 3 kids under 3 years old, and in charge of sanity at TheSaneMom.com. She has vibrant energy and loves helping other moms keep their sanity! Visit her at: TheSaneMom.com 13