Our children are our most important legacy to the world. However, our love is our most important legacy to our children. Here are seven ways to show love that will help children build sturdy foundations for the future.
1. Spend Time with Your Children.
Time is the most loving gift we can give to our children. It allows for the mutual exchange of ideas, emotions, actions, and words that help our children develop and learn to communicate.
Enjoy a toddler's tea parties as well as a teen's ball games. Help your children build things and create art. Begin new family traditions that you can enjoy together each year. Ample time spent in mutually enjoyable activities will create memories you will always treasure.
2. Be the Primary Role Model for Your Children.
Children need examples to follow. Teach practical values to your children by modeling those values. Admit when you have made a mistake and apologize. Model being committed to the ideals you embrace. Demonstrate the advantage of integrity over peer pressure.
We teach and influence children more through actions than words. We are our children's first heroes; the ideals that we live today are the ideals that will influence our children throughout life.
3. Listen to Your Children.
A child's message is one of his or her most essential gifts. We build self-esteem in children when we show interest in what they have to say. Children need to communicate their pride of accomplishment as well as their needs.
Get down at eye level with very young children and listen with your eyes, ears, and heart. Listen most of all to the feelings conveyed through a child's eyes and expressions. If you listen to your children deeply, they will grow up listening deeply to you.
4. Provide Your Children with Loving Discipline.
Children need guidelines and safe boundaries without being constrained unnecessarily. They need to learn the value of being accountable for their choices and actions.
Let your children know that you disapprove of hurtful actions but will always love them as sons and daughters. Loving discipline enables them to recognize the best in other people. It allows children the freedom to explore the world safely and reach their highest potential.
5. Give Your Children Encouragement.
Encouraging words are powerful emotional deposits of confidence and self-esteem. Verbally acknowledge your children's special talents and accomplishments. Catch your children doing something great, and tell them what a great job they have done.
Children need to know that we recognize and support their hopes and dreams for the future. Encouraging children to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually provides the foundation for living a balanced life.
6. Share Your Experiences with Your Children.
We each have valuable stories to tell, unique maps of our journey through life. These stories tell how our reactions to events created the life we are living now. Sharing the benefit of your experiences - the roadblocks and rewards - is a very loving way to guide your children.
Your children may face many of the situations you faced. Your experiences can help them make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary mistakes. Among the most worthwhile possessions that we can someday leave for our children are journals filled with the stories that shaped our lives.
7. Love and Support Your Children Unconditionally.
Love is an unconditional gift from the heart; it is not a reward for good behavior. Let your children know that you will love and support them in any situation. This message creates a sturdy bond of trust. Your children will grow to feel safe in coming to you with any problem they face.
Children need the freedom to make decisions, try new things, and learn that life requires personal responsibility and persistence. They need the freedom to fail and learn from mistakes without being judged. Unconditional love helps them to acquire the decisiveness and resiliency required to become successful.
If you could sum up all of our children's needs, hopes, and expectations in one word, that word would be love. We share love when we play a central role in our children's world of learning and discovery. Our legacy of love will have a guiding influence upon our children and grandchildren for many generations.
© Copyright by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com
maid service near Lake Forest ..Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More
In a single dose of children's television, I was bombarded... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
Is it possible to be using our children addictively?Anything that... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around... Read More
Bath time can be fun or it can be a... Read More
Individualism is a common thing in today's modern society. Many... Read More
Choosing to leave your child with a caregiver is one... Read More
"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More
Strattera came out around January of 2003, and is becoming... Read More
Cardiovascular endurance is one of the five health-related components of... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comLegacy to Your ChildrenIt's 6:30... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
"It takes a village to raise a child" is more... Read More
The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
"Get down from the table top right now! What are... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
In the movie, Finding Nemo, Nemo's father, Marlyn asks the... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
In today's busy world, many parents have lost the art... Read More
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More
Kids today no longer live the kind of privileged lives... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
If you spend any time in the parenting section of... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
After giving up my profession to become a wife, a... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
So you want to be a mum? Every time you... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
Parenting |