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Children are born
entitled. They are surrounded by adults who cater to their every need.
That’s fine when
those things really are necessities: food, clothing, diapers and a place to get
some sleep. Children grow up, though, and as they age, many come to define
“needs” as an iPhone or a pair of expensive shoes. So how can parents teach
their 21st century kids to be more grateful and truly appreciate
things?
Affirmation: Sometimes one simple word of affirmation can
change an entire life. So make sure your children know how much you appreciate
them. And then, remind them every chance you get.
Art. With the advent of the Internet,
everyone who wants to create… can. The world just needs more people who want
to…
Challenge: Encourage your child to dream big dreams. In
turn, they will accomplish more than they thought possible… and probably even
more than you thought possible.
Compassion/Justice: Life isn’t fair. It
never will be – there are just too many variables. But when a wrong has been
committed or a playing field can be leveled, I want my child to be active in
helping to level it.
Contentment: The need for more is
contagious. Therefore, one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is
an appreciation for being content with what they have… but not with whom they
are.
Curiosity: Teach your children to ask
questions about who, what, where, how, why, and why not. “Stop asking so many
questions” are words that should never leave a parents’ mouth.
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| case sets yellow & Grey |
Determination: One of the greatest
determining factors in one’s success is the size of their will. How can you
help grow your child’s today?
Discipline: Children need to learn
everything from the ground-up including appropriate behaviors, how to get along
with others, how to get results, and how to achieve their dreams. Discipline
should not be avoided or withheld. Instead, it should be consistent and
positive.
Encouragement: Words are powerful. They can create or they
can destroy. The simple words that you choose to speak today can offer
encouragement and positive thoughts to another child. Or your words can send
them further into despair. So choose them carefully.
Faithfulness to your Spouse. Faithfulness
in marriage includes more than just our bodies. It also includes our eyes,
mind, heart, and soul. Guard your sexuality daily and devote it entirely to
your spouse. Your children will absolutely take notice.
Finding Beauty: Help your children find
beauty in everything they see and in everyone they meet.
Generosity: Teach your children to be
generous with your stuff so that they will become generous with theirs.
Honesty/Integrity: Children who learn the
value and importance of honesty at a young age have a far greater opportunity
to become honest adults. And honest adults who deal truthfully with others tend
to feel better about themselves, enjoy their lives more, and sleep better at
night.
Hope: Hope is knowing and believing that
things will get better and improve. It creates strength, endurance, and
resolve. And in the desperately difficult times of life, it calls us to press
onward.
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Hugs and Kisses: I once heard the story of
a man who told his 7-year old son that he had grown too old for kisses. I tear
up every time I think of it. Know that your children are never too old to
receive physical affirmation of your love for them.
Imagination. If we’ve learned anything over
the past 20 years, it’s that life is changing faster and faster with every
passing day. The world tomorrow looks nothing like the world today. And the
people with imagination are the ones not just living it, they are creating it.
Intentionality: I believe strongly in
intentional living and intentional parenting. Slow down; consider who you are,
where you are going, and how to get there. And do the same for each of your
children.
Your Lap: It’s the best place in the entire
world for a book, story, or conversation. And it’s been right in front of you
the whole time.
Lifelong Learning: A passion for learning
is different from just studying to earn a grade or please teachers. It begins
in the home. So read, ask questions, analyze, and expose. In other words, learn
to love learning yourself.
Love: but the greatest of these is love.
Meals Together: Meals provide unparalleled
opportunity for relationship, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else.
So much so, that a family that does not eat together does not grow together.
Nature: Children who learn to appreciate the
world around them take care of the world around them. As a parent, I am
frequently asking my kids to keep their rooms inside the house neat, clean, and
orderly. Shouldn’t we also be teaching them to keep their world outside neat,
clean, and orderly?
Opportunity: Kids need opportunities to experience new
things so they can find out what they enjoy and what they are good at. And
contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t have to require much money.
Optimism: Pessimists don’t change the
world. Optimists do.
Peace: On a worldwide scale, you may think this is
out of our hands. But in relation to the people around you, this is completely
within your hands… and that’s a darn good place to start.
Pride: Celebrate the little things in life.
After all, it is the little accomplishments in life that become the big
accomplishments.
Room to make mistakes: Kids are kids.
That’s what makes them so much fun… and so desperately in need of your
patience. Give them room to experiment, explore, and make mistakes.
Self-Esteem: People who learn to value
themselves are more likely to have self-confidence, self-esteem, and
self-worth. As a result, they are more likely to become adults who respect
their values and stick to them… even when no one else is.
Sense of Humor: Laugh with your children everyday… for your
sake and theirs.
Spirituality: Faith elevates our view of
the universe, our world, and our lives. We would be wise to instill into our
kids that they are more than just flesh and blood taking up space. They are
also made of mind, heart, soul, and will. And decisions in their life should be
based on more than just what everyone else with flesh and blood is doing.
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| jewelry is a girl's bestfriend |
Stability: A stable home becomes the
foundation on which children build the rest of their lives. They need to know
their place in the family, who they can trust, and who is going to be there for
them. Don’t keep changing those things.
Time: The gift of time is the one gift you
can never get back or take back. So think carefully about who (or what) is
getting yours.
Undivided Attention: Maybe this imagery will
be helpful: Disconnect to Connect.
Uniqueness: What makes us different is what
makes us special. Uniqueness should not be hidden. It should be proudly
displayed for the entire world to see, appreciate, and enjoy.
A Welcoming Home: To know that you can
always come home is among the sweetest and most life-giving assurances in the
entire world. Is your home breathing life into your child?
Of course, none of
these gifts are on sale at your local department store. But, I think that’s the
point. xoxo
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