I lectured for the entire car ride, right up ’til I pulled into the school parking lot. OK, so we live about three minutes from school. Still, I know good and well three minutes in lecture time feels like thirty minutes in real time.
I realize my mistake and tried to put a band-aid on it with sudden, enthusiastic “I love you’s!” and “Praying you have a great day!” They answered with barely there smiles and unenthusiastic replies. There’s nothing like starting the day by sucking the life out of the morning. Out of them.
Ya, I had some valid points in my lecture, but when I give in to emotion and mix up poor timing with verbosity, I serve up a joy-killing cocktail that tastes terrible as it deflates spirits. But when I say and do things that breathe fresh air life into my kiddos, I deposit joy, love, and grace into their emotional bank accounts. It also takes the edge off unwise withdrawals.
Here are some soul-satisfying things I can go on and on about that help my young’uns breathe in a little fresh air life.
How to Breathe Fresh Air Life into Your Young’uns:
I will hug them first thing.
{Because the Lord’s compassions never fail and His mercies are new each morning! Lamentations 3:22-23}
I will look them in the eyes when they speak to me and I speak to them.
{I always have His full attention! Psalm 3:4, 62:8}
I will tell them mistakes ARE allowed.
{Because the expectation of perfection leads to devastation. If God expected perfection, He wouldn’t have given us Jesus. Hebrews 10:14}
I will not wait to tell them, “I am sorry.”
{Because these three words model humility and wipe out egg-shell walking. Acts 3:19}
I will ask them their highs and lows of each day.
{Both are opportunities to offer prayer and show gratitude! Philippians 4:6}
I will remind them they are a treasured possession.
{Because we are His! Deuteronomy 26:18}
I will create family “inside” jokes.
{Because laughter heals and I want them to enjoy home! Proverbs 17:22}
I will call them affirming nick names and pet names.
{Because it helps seal their identity as a part of my family! And we are all a part of His! Romans 11:17}
I will pray my gratitude for them out loud.
{Because every gift is from God and they should know they are a gift! James 1:17}
I will end the day with “I love you” and “I’m proud of you.”
{Because ending on a good note cancels earlier bad ones and sets the stage for a fresh start tomorrow. Ephesians 4:26-27}
Man, I was just thinking the same thing as I dropped mine off this morning and tried to balance my frustrations with them with encouraging them for the day that lay ahead. This is a great list, Kristen! I’m agonna print it out!
Yup, and finding that balance sometimes has me feeling like I’ve wrestled a bear by 9am! Ha!
Oh girl … I needed this today. Printing out your list!
Love ya! {and linked to you on Parenting from the Overflow}
Thanks for the link love, TLU! Love you!
Wonderful encouragement, Kristen. If I may, I’d like to add to the list: I will say three little words, “I was wrong”- that I might model my need for grace and humility instead of just lecturing my kids about having these qualities.
Definitely, Shannon!
Thank you so much! I am so glad to know someone else does this;) The mornings can be so very frustrating and I seem to lose it WAY too quick and then it’s all down hill from there! Then when I turn into the school parking lot, I’m trying to use the last 2 minutes to make up for the entire morning, then I leave with a HUGE weight of guilt! And most times, tears! I just so wish I could always do and act like I want to instead of always messing up then wishing I could take it back and start over. Why can’t I learn from the mistake the first time and NOT do it again?!??! Ughhhhh! Love you girl!
I am printing it too. Great reminders!!
What a great post! Practical wisdom and lifegiving affirmation. Thank you for the reminder to breathe life into my children instead of suck it out of them. Hugs!
These are so great! (and I love the verses that go along w/ them)