On the way to a friends house I pass this abandoned, burned out, graffiti’d house.
What do you see when you look at it?
Do you see destruction, despair, loneliness?
I see possibilities.
And I am fascinated.
Every time I drive by I have the urge to drive up the lot, get out and explore. My fear of snakes keeps me safely in my minivan.
I think it’s my love of home improvement projects and decorating that lets me see the possibilities in a house (trust me we’ve a couple gross looking houses over the years).
But I tend to be less about the possibilities and more about the current condition when it comes to other things – like my children. It’s so easy to focus on the negative behaviors (and I’m not saying that they don’t need addressing) and it takes so much of our energy and time that I am left exhausted.
And quite frankly, sometimes I’m just not feelin’ the love, you know what I mean?
Recently I’ve been really convicted about how critical I can be with the kids. I don’t want to be the mom they remember as always nagging them.
I’m starting with making a point to say one super-encouraging thing to each child each day.
Anyone have some creative ideas on how to encourage children? I’m all ears!
Funny, I just realized yesterday how critical I can be when it comes to my kids as well. I am praying that the Lord would open my eyes to being more positive and encouraging! We only get one shot with these guys and I want to make it count.
I think it is important to be our kids biggest cheerleader! I make an effort to speak truths into my kids…for example if I witness a “good” thing, I will say, “I love that God gave you such a sensitive spirit(insert any character trait/quality) and when I saw you notice that “Johnny” was being left out and you made him feel special, I was reminded of how God made you special!”
If I notice a “bad” moment of this same child NOT being sensitive to a sibling or friend I will also encourage them the same way by saying, “I love that God gave you such a sensitive spirit and (here comes the cheerleader) I KNOW that you can be the child that He made you to be, etc. Note that BOTH ways are just encouraging what you have already witnessed in the heart of your child.
I love what Tera said here!!
I used to slip notes under their pillow. I would say something to the effect, I know sometimes as a mom, what comes out of my mouth is directions, redirections and correction.
Here is what I mean to say… You are a great kid, today when you were doing ___________________ and I said ____________________ that was just the moment. Here is what you did today that made me smile ________________________________ because I am not sure you hear me when I smile.