This is the time of year for reflections. I've been especially reflecting on my life and thinking about some of the things that I've learned this year. I've learned some very important lessons from my children this year. We have both a 4 year old and a 12 year old in our home, which essentially means I have two toddlers. I have two young people in my home that have little control over their own emotions, which is completely developmentally appropriate for each of them, considering their respective ages. I, on the other hand, have a hard time sometimes controlling my emotions while parenting them, but what's my excuse?
I've especially learned this year that I need to focus more on how I react to my children than on how they react to me or to life. They are learning how to handle "life" by watching me and by following the example I set. How I respond to "life" in front of my kids is what matters. When my 12 year old loses her cool after I tell her she needs to clean her room, do I lose my cool? Or should I lead by example, and calmy explain that her room needs cleaned and follow that with lovingly, but firmly, explaining the consequences of what will happen if she chooses not to follow the rules?
I make mistakes every day as a parent. Thankfully, every day I get to wake up and try again to be a better mother than the day before.
It is an honor to parent these two little people. I hope to send them out into this world as bigger and better contributors to it than I could ever have imagined.
One thing is for sure, my children have been my greatest teachers. I am beyond blessed to be their momma.
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