What We Can Learn from Our Children
Are you Listening?
Having children comes with responsibility and patience and somewhere along the line of parenting we forget that we were once children. We were the ones who tested boundaries, threw tantrums of epic proportions, and caused our parents endless worry and feelings from the entire spectrum of emotions.
Children have that natural way to make us act, but it’s not always the right time to play games, and do the things they want in that moment. It can either backfire on us or it can be accepted.
As a parent, I know that it’s not always easy to balance a career and keeping the kids happy. Being a parent is hard but I’ve learned that being honest with my children rather than not, has always been the better way.
My son broke his wrist and we are now taking it easy at home after an action packed summer. As a family we love the outdoors and adventure.
My son’s broken wrist has made us all pause and reflect on what is the most important. The feeling of safety and nurturing in a loving family.
Yes, I’m busy with college deadlines, and back to school preparations for work, but when my children need me -I’m there. In a heartbeat - no question.
My son needs me right now. He’s young and has been through a trauma of breaking his wrist and gone through surgery in hospital. It’s a lot to take for anyone, let alone a child. He is wearing the biggest, heaviest white cast on his arm until he gets a permanent one. He needs mommy - me.
Who do you turn to when you are hurting? Do you have someone who you can be, just yourself without being judged? Someone who just listens?
Children aren’t being needy for asking their parents to be there for them. Being loved unconditionally is a need that we all seek. As adults we sometimes forget this because our busy schedules get in the way.
My son needed me, and I stopped everything that I was doing. His wrist is hurting and even though he isn’t a toddler, he has been glued to me since it happened.
Since we got home yesterday, we’ve snuggled on the sofa in front a Disney movie.
We’ve talked well into the night when he’s been unable to sleep. I’ve learned more than I thought I would from listening to my son.
We’ve played board games as a family - not computer games because of his broken wrist.
We’ve made his favorite cookies. (His arm was clad in plastic) Laughing together.
We’ve cried with him as we talked through the trauma with our extended family.
We have come together as a family to support him.
Unconditional love means that you love someone without any conditions or expectations. You just love them for who they are and their character flaws - all of it.
Unconditional love is there throughout our lives. We have a need to be loved like this and without it, we don’t perform at our best.
Children are excellent at showing us what truly matters. They haven’t discovered adulthood yet. They don’t know how to hide emotions, lie, and drool sarcasm like adults.
Children teach us that the honest approach is by far the best way to live your life. To listen when someone is talking and hear what they are saying. To forgive each other when there is a problem and accept forgiveness.
As a child I didn’t have this gift of unconditional love. As a mom, I do have it and I use it to the best of my ability to bring up the happiest, well rounded children that I can.
My kids aren’t perfect but I tell them every day, how much I love them especially when they’ve had bad days. That is when they need my love the most.
If you have children, or any loved ones; listen to their conversations. They might say something that surprises you.
Remind them that they are loved, no matter what.
My name is Lizzy, and I’m a mom, teacher, author and mental health blogger. I write for those who don’t always feel that they have a voice. For more about me, my books and articles check out my website: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com
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