Be the person you want your child to grow up to be.
Children learn what they live!
In the daily rut of parenting, work life, your relationships, your hobbies, trying and probably not succeeding to have down time and social time, chores, making life’s big decisions, it’s so easy to forget that we aren’t bringing up children.... we are bringing up future adults.
What kind of adult do you want your child to be?
A parents work is vitally important. Growing small children is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Children are like sponges. In their first 3 years of life, their brain reaches 80% of its adult size. They are soaking up every verbal and non verbal interaction from a very young age, so teach them from a young age.
The best form of learning is through example and observation. In psychological terms this is called Modelling. Role Model the kinds of behaviour you want to see in your child.
If you want your child to say I am sorry — Say “I am sorry” to them and those around them.
If you want your child to learn to forgive — Say “I forgive you” to them and those around them.
If you want your child to learn to pray — Pray with your child, and for those around them.
If you want your child to learn patience — Be Patient with them and those around them.
If you want your child to be tolerant- Be Tolerant with them, and those who are different around them.
If you want your child to be fair- Show justness and fairness in the way you treat them, and those around them.
If you want your child to be healthy — Show them an active, healthy, balanced lifestyle
If you want your child to tell the truth — Tell them the truth and those around them, always rooted in kindness and love.
If you want your child to be assertive but not aggressive — say what you mean, and mean what you say, without raising your voice.
If you want your child to value their relationships — Value your relationship with your child, and relationships outside of your child.
If you want your child to communicate with you — Communicate with your child, and those around them, in open and direct ways.
If you want your child to be confident- Give them space to voice their thoughts and opinions, ask them WHY they feel or think this way. Be confident in your ability to bring up a child in this world. God chose YOU to be their parent for a reason.
Particularly for the mommies out there. If you want your child to like themselves- Like YOURSELF! Your sons and daughters are learning about their bodies, about beauty, about loving oneself, from you.
Childhood is the time in which we instil in our children the qualities that make them likeable, strong, confident, successful adults. It’s never too late or too early to start being your best self, and wanting your child to be their best self!
What will your child learn from you today?
~ Simone
Your Registered Counsellor Rooted in Love