07/27/2015
7 Small Actions That Can Greatly Impact the Life of a Child
1. Ask for their opinion
Whether it’s: “What flowers do you think we should we plant in the yard?” or “How do you think our family should handle this?” asking for your children to weigh in on a decision makes them feel important and valued. In addition, it provides great practice for them to make sound decisions without you.
2. Let them do for themselves
Maybe it’s folding their laundry in their own way, pouring their own cereal, picking out their own clothes, or managing their time. By letting go of the need for tasks to be accomplished quickly and in a certain way, you foster life skills and confidence in your children.
3. Listen with eyes, ears, & heart
Attentively listening to your children’s dreams, needs, and questions results in the ability to KNOW them. And when a person feels known, they feel loved and understood in the most powerful way possible.
4. Kiss a forehead
When I was recovering from surgery recently, my husband got into the habit of kissing my forehead. It made me feel cherished in a way I could not describe. I began doing it to my daughter. I noticed she smiled the same way I did. A kiss on the forehead makes you feel protected and celebrated.
5. Announce you have time especially for them
Some of the most powerful words you can say to another person are: “I’ve got ___ minutes and they are all yours. What do you want to do?” Although it appears to be a gift to the recipient, you may find yourself walking away from that time of connection feeling more peaceful and fulfilled than before you started.
6. Give some breathing room
Let there be breathing room when it comes to the shot they missed. Let there be breathing room when it comes to their packed schedule. Let there be breathing room when it comes to their emotions. Taking risks, learning, growing, and expressing emotion mean there will be mistakes; there will be meltdowns; there will be challenges. Give your people breathing room to be human and you’ll see them prosper and thrive.
7. Say “I love you” out of the blue
Rather than saving “I love you” for nighttime tuck in, departure time, holidays or achievements, get into the habit of saying it when you feel it—like when her beauty astounds you … like when his giving heart shines though … like when you notice the joy they bring to the world. When the words “I love you” are not tied to situations or achievements, they are better emphasized, better heard, and better absorbed.
© Rachel Macy Stafford 2015
Thanks for being part of The Hands Free Revolution community—letting go of distraction, perfection, & pressure to grasp what really matters.
* For more ways to add meaning & breathing room into our busy lives, please check out my soon-to-be-released book, HANDS FREE LIFE: 9 Habits for Overcoming Distraction, Living Better & Loving More. Your support is a true blessing to me. ⇒
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