This week I want to remind and encourage you mamas. Be reminded that your words are powerful, your hugs are life changing, your presence at a baseball game, dance recital or band concert is so impactful.
“Speak in such a way that your child longs to hear your voice and listen to your words. Listen in such a way that they can’t wait to share their thoughts, dreams, and struggles with you.”
– Amanda Erickson
We are mothers. We are to build into our children. To advocate for them. To listen well. We can only control how we speak to and listen to our children. We can choose to love them in their joyful days and more importantly in their sad days, when they are harder to love. We can choose to speak to them with respect, even if that means telling them that you need a minute to yourself. It is okay to model humility and gentleness in our attitudes and reactions. And when we slip up, as any parent does, we can model apologizing to our kids.
They see it all and tuck it away. Never doubt that they are watching and learning. I know we hear this a lot, but do we remember that we are free to have patience in their tantrums and listen closely to each (sometimes incomprehensible) word during our fast-paced day of to-dos and activities. It is okay to tell them first you have to do x, y, or z and then you will listen so that they can have your full attention. But, here is the important thing. Keep your word, remember what you said and go back to them with your undivided attention, so they look at you, see you looking back and not around or at your phone, and know that you care about what they are about to say. We have the power to radically love our kids like this. To show them grace and raise them up to have these qualities for themselves and the people around them.
