#Parenting

"You were once a child and you didn't do everything your mummy told you to do immediately!"

Those were the words my 6 years old daughter said to me sometimes ago when I asked her to do a chore and she dragged her feet, made all sorts of gesture indicating her displeasure in the task...

....but when she noticed I wouldn't change my mind, she complied!

Afterwards, while I was expressing my dissatisfaction regarding her earlier reluctance, she aired her thoughts!

As I was contemplating on how to respond to the "allegation", she continued...

"It was not as if I want to disobey you but I was tired and I didn't feel like standing up that time!"

Hmmm...

A heaved a sigh of relief!

*************************************

You see, whenever we feel our children are not doing our biddings, most times, it isn't to upset us intentionally, it just happened they have their issues too, irrespective of how insignificant it is to us, it is a big deal to them!

The earlier we realise this, the better it will help to build our relationship and connecting with our children!

It isn't enough to dish out instructions and expect immediate response all the time like those in the military:
"Aye Aye Sir!"

This isn't to excuse outright disobedient act, especially when it is becoming an habit.

Occasionally, cut the child some slack and find out the reason behind his/her actions and inactions

Part of what should form our parenting philosophy is that we are preparing our children for the world which has become a jungle!

We cannot afford to raise a child who is dogmatic, gullible, timid and incapable of taking a stand against the wiles of peer pressure and predator!

How else do you expect them to develop these skills when they have to obey all your rules and regulations without questioning!

Calm down...

Listen to the child...

Communicate...

Empathise...

Connect...

Correct...

Redirect.

God is ever faithful!

It will end in praise.

Remember, you were once a child!

#childhood
#boldness
#parenting
#beintentional
#connect
#correct
#redirect