Sometimes weekends are long days with our kids, lots to do, tired, worn out, household chores, etc etc etc....
But, today is a new day. We get 24 hrs, 1440 minutes, 86400 seconds to do it all over again.
Have you ever just stood back and watched your children? I mean really, just took in the excitement in their eyes when they find a little treasure on the ground, even if it's just a silly little rock. Have you ever watched their face light up when they see their Daddy? Have you ever just hugged your child, and asked God for one more chance to get it right?
I have...Because as parents, we all make mistakes. We do things we wish we wouldn't have. We say things we wish we wouldn't have. We lose our patience. We rush our children. We drag them through our daily chaos (I am really guilty of this one).
I was listening to K-Love radio last night (if you haven't heard this station - find it where you are - it's awesome - and my kids love it too!!). They were talking about parenting, and they said, there's 3 things our kids need from us....
#1 - Our love. Now most of us get this right. Kids need our hugs, our kisses, our unconditional love. This one is easy I think :)
#2 - Kids need limits. We aren't crushing their spirit or damaging them for life. They NEED limits. They need rules, stability, and to know that they can't just do whatever they want, when they want. Teaching them right from wrong in a loving way. You CAN discipline YOUR child....not PUNISH them...DISCIPLINE them. Look it up in the dictionary, there is a difference....
#3 - They need our time!!! This is not one of those things that is just "quality time." With kids you can't get quality time without getting quantity of time!!!
Something to think about. Sure gives me some things to remember and try to work on.
Often when I am super frustrated, or had a really bad day with the kids, I try to remember that somewhere, some mother/father would give anything to hold their child again, and I thank God for my gifts.
Psalm 127:3 "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."
And so I will leave you with this quote I saw this morning that sums up how I feel about parenting....
"While we try to teach our children all about life, children teach us what life is all about."
Oh man I could probably write a book on things that my boys have taught me!! They've revealed things about me that I didn't want to know. For how can I expect something different from them if they are only mimicking what they hear/see?
ReplyDeleteActions do speak louder than words!!
Great post! :)