If there is one thing I am learning as a parent, it is that I need to listen to my daughter. Not just hear the words coming out of her mouth, but rather, listen to everything she tells me. I do my best to always listen to her whether she is telling me a big idea or a small story.
Someone once said, “sports don’t build character, they reveal character”. And my daughter plays many sports. And some of the practices are a 30 minute drive from our house. I try to make it a point to take the long winding back roads home so that she has time to chat with me about how practice went.
When we take this long way home, we pass by fields of corn, horse farms and growing produce. We can watch the sun set and talk about all the colors painted in the sky. This time together is a safe space for her to talk to me as I drive home, and she can confide in me about the positive and negative details of practice. I love having this opportunity to listen to her stories.
One of my biggest parental concerns is that I do not want her to shut me out as she gets older. I want her to know that Mommy will listen to her concerns, take care of her, and always protect her no matter her age. Therefore, I will do the best I can to listen now, so that as she gets older, she knows I will always be there for her.
Even as an adult, I am very close friends with my mom. She offers me a safe space to confide in her through the challenges that life brings. And I am blessed to have her as such a prominent part of my life.
Did your parents create a safe space for you to share with them your stories? Are you being intentional about collaborating with the young children in your life? Whether its a friend, niece, nephew, or your own child, I hope you take a moment to reflect on how you take the time to listen to the young inquisitive minds that we have in our lives.
I love to wear high heels and my daughter likes to wear them too. So the next time I put them on, I will remember to also put my “listening ears on” and love into every words that she tells me. Because she matters, and I want her to never have a doubt in her mind that I will always care about every word and every story she shares with me.
Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.
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