Lately I have been pondering family life as one would when you write blogs about children and parents. There are so many elements of family life that create good children and happy homes. We spend a great deal of time talking about consistency and obedience, training and values. Educational achievement is a huge concern as school plays such a major part of their week and their future.
We can be busy correcting how they eat, dress, tidy their room, answer us, and behave in relationships. Stop yelling, eat with your mouth closed, use your fork, don’t colour on the wall, stop poking your brother, pick up your clothes, do your homework, turn down the music, you call that music! If we’re not careful, we can act and sound more like a prison guard than a loving parent.
We are more than their custodian. We are their parents, their role models for how to live life. We are the people who they copy and mimic in learning to be adults. Our words are only effective if our lives reflect what we are saying. If we say one thing and do another, the kids will see right through your hypocrisy. You may fool the neighbours but never your children. They are reflecting back to you how you act and respond in every situation. They are the mirrors to your soul.
If we get caught in the spiralling cycle of dos and don’ts, educational and sporting achievement and neglect to enjoy life, our children will be correct but miserable. We need to be fun loving and creative in spontaneity. As much as we care for their manners we need to care for their joy. Children play for the pleasure of play.
Play with them for the joy that it brings to them. Start when they are really young ideally but start at any time - its never too late. Teach them card games. Build forts inside or outside. Furniture cushions and blankets make great forts. The level of sophistication is obviously age dependent. Play sports together. Put on music and dance together. Do what you like to do with them and they will grow up liking it too.
Parenting is life giving from birth until they leave home. Enjoy your children, play with your children and you will really get to know your children. Lighten up and have some fun.
(image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
We can be busy correcting how they eat, dress, tidy their room, answer us, and behave in relationships. Stop yelling, eat with your mouth closed, use your fork, don’t colour on the wall, stop poking your brother, pick up your clothes, do your homework, turn down the music, you call that music! If we’re not careful, we can act and sound more like a prison guard than a loving parent.
We are more than their custodian. We are their parents, their role models for how to live life. We are the people who they copy and mimic in learning to be adults. Our words are only effective if our lives reflect what we are saying. If we say one thing and do another, the kids will see right through your hypocrisy. You may fool the neighbours but never your children. They are reflecting back to you how you act and respond in every situation. They are the mirrors to your soul.
If we get caught in the spiralling cycle of dos and don’ts, educational and sporting achievement and neglect to enjoy life, our children will be correct but miserable. We need to be fun loving and creative in spontaneity. As much as we care for their manners we need to care for their joy. Children play for the pleasure of play.
Play with them for the joy that it brings to them. Start when they are really young ideally but start at any time - its never too late. Teach them card games. Build forts inside or outside. Furniture cushions and blankets make great forts. The level of sophistication is obviously age dependent. Play sports together. Put on music and dance together. Do what you like to do with them and they will grow up liking it too.
Parenting is life giving from birth until they leave home. Enjoy your children, play with your children and you will really get to know your children. Lighten up and have some fun.
(image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
RSS Feed