Admiring my first little baby girl, as I sat next to wife, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by task ahead. At the time we were worried about a thumb size strawberry birthmark on her cheek and how that might bring her unwanted attention, or hardship. Other kids can be cruel.
Every parent is different in how they feel about their baby and the challenges they will face, but one thing we all have in common is that we all want the best for our kids. We often feel we may be inadequate in caring for them and giving them the best.
Here are three things you can do for your child whether they are 3, 10, or 20 years old.
1. GIVE them your TIME
You may have hear the expression, “To children, time equals love.”
One of the strongest memories of my childhood is of the time my father took to spend time with me to help me through a rough spot in my homework when I was in third grade.
Nothing substitutes spending TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN, if you expect to have a positive impact on their future.
If you want your children to turn out well. Spend twice as much time with them and half the money.”
– Abigail Van Buren
2. TEACH them to do things for THEMSELVES.
You may feel like you are doing good by them, if you step in and take care of their fight with a buddy or clean up after them at home. It may be the other way around. Imagine keeping a healthy functional child in a wheel chair because you’ve afraid they will fall down.
Most of their life your children won’t have you around. Teaching them to SUCCEED even the simplest things in life will set them up for success in BIGGER things as they move on through life without you.
It’s not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.”
– Ann L.
3. CARE for YOURSELF
Being the last one to a pitcher and finding there’s nothing left to drink is a little frustrating. Your children need you to be pour into them, care for them, and guide them.
Your body and the mind are pitchers, figuratively speaking, that need to be filled in order to pour out to your children or anyone else for that matter.
Taking care of yourself physically is a good start, and a healthy body SUPPORTS a healthy mind. Take time to care for yourself, take a break from giving or working for others, and FILL UP on all that you will need to pour into your child.
[shareable cite=”Abe Stone”]To raise strong and healthy children, we need to be mentally healthy ourselves.[/shareable]
If you have neglected your self-care, these posts will be a good quick guide on what you can do to get your life back in balance. We all need reminders once in a while.
4 Self-Care Areas to Nurture and Prevent Burnout
[reminder]What are some things you feel contributed to your successes in life as an adult?[/reminder]
