3 Things I Want My Kids to Hear Everyday

I've been thinking...dangerous...I know! But seriously, I've been thinking about what my kids will take away from each day. I firmly believe that what we focus on grows in our lives. Each day is a gift and at the end of the day, its done. I will not get another March 29, 2014 again. So, at the end of today, what do I want my kids to remember?

Here are my thoughts on what I want my kids to hear each day:

"I love you!"Simple yet life changing. I want my children to be confident in the knowledge that I love them no matter what they do or don't do, say or don't say. I recently heard someone say that when they were discipling their children they would say, "If you were trapped in a burning car, I would rescue you. I love you that much. Right now, I do not like the choices you are making and for that reason (fill in consequence)." My love for my children is not conditional on them making good decisions. I know that, but do they?

"Let's play!" It can be so easy for me to get wrapped up in the laundry, making breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, house cleaning, grocery shopping and the list goes on and on. However, I have been challenged lately by how much these activities can over take my life. When a pile of housework  stands before me, I am learning to ask myself, "How important is this?" Sometimes the housework is important...if I don't start the load of laundry now, nobody will have clean underwear for tomorrow! Most of the time it can wait an hour while I sit down and play Legos with my boys. And you know what, the laundry is still getting done. The dishes might sit in the sink longer but in the end, they still get done! And my relationship with my boys is that much stronger...Oh the conversations we have over Legos...priceless!

"We are a team." Being a family means being part of a team. As a team we encourage each other. We build each other up. We work together to get things done. In the past few months I've noticed that the boys and I have not been operating as a team when it comes to work around the house. They've been playing and I've been working. Through some conversations together, we've come up with a plan. Our plan is in order to have fun, we need to work together to get the other stuff done. We have come up with some age appropriate jobs for each boy to do that contribute to housework. One of Zane's jobs is to set the table. When he finishes, I thank him for his hard work. I then say, "Hey, doesn't it feel good to be part of the team!" I've notice him stop, think about it and then smile. Because it really does feel good to be part of the team.

My challenge to you: 

• What are your kids hearing everyday?
• What do you want your kids to hear everyday?

~

Hannah is a PCI Certified Parent Coach® and owner of Foundations Parent and Life Coaching. She is passionate about working with parents and individuals who want to build the foundation for a thriving life.