(Borrowed)
Recently an anonymous mother wrote a touching letter to all
parents out there:
Dear parent (mom and dad),
I have been wanting to write
you this letter for a long time.
We always hear that no baby
comes into this world with a manual. Maybe this was true years ago, but not
today. Today we have many aids and
sources of information available. Some
are in book form; others are just a click away – information to give you as parent
help or advice on how to raise your child.
In these times, both parents
work because it is inevitable or necessary.
Some parents work long hours, others shorter, but when they return home
in the evening there are so many other responsibilities. Our children’s days are just as full and busy
with all their school and after school activities.
We feel that days are getting
shorter because we have just so much to do!
Then, as the day draws to a
close, we all start with our separate demanding responsibilities and tasks.
Children are tired because it was a long day for them as well. And the parents
are tired. But it is during these times
that your duty as parents become reality.
To spend time with your child and to see what they have learned at
school must be your priority. Because
your child is only a child ONCE – you cannot give them attention tomorrow for
what happened today. It will be yesterday, and we know that yesterday is in the
past!
Look beyond your own
tiredness, each day of learning is important in your child’s life and they need
the assurance that their education also matters to you. Do not use the “I am
too tired” excuse. Your child needs you every day. Before you know it, their 12 years at school
is done and then it is too late.
We can never turn back to the
clock.
Praise your children,
encourage them, urge them on, reward them when they have done their best.
Remember: your best and their best could be different things!
Your child needs to hear the
words “I am proud of you” and “I love you” daily. They do grow up and they will spread their
wings someday.
----
This touching letter appeared in
an Afrikaans newspaper recently and we cannot agree more with the sentiments
expressed by this lady. And, whilst we
are all confined to our homes during this time of lockdown, let us all review
our relationships with our children. We
are so quick to say “keep quiet” or “go play in your room” – we forget that
this is even more confusing for children and more difficult to understand. So even if you are working from home during
this time, book time in your day to spend with your child. Change your daily routine for this time to
include these important people in your life:
they will appreciate this, and you will feel good!
If possible, involve your child
in your day – maybe they can sort something for you, maybe they can help you with filing. Maybe they are old enough
to do some research for you. But, maybe
you should just let them play near you – sometimes the smell and the sound of a
parent is providing more comfort than we know!
I know of grown-ups who visit
their aging parents and then go lie on the bed to feel the comfort of that
familiar smell. A smell that represents
safety and the assurance that everything will be alright. I know of women going to perfume counters in
stores to smell their mom’s perfume, even if she's no longer around. Because, no matter how old we get, we all
need to know that we are/were loved!
Perhaps we should look at this
time of lockdown differently: maybe we
were blessed with “extra time” to restore our relationships with our
children. Children do not ask to come
into this world and considering the joy they bring; we owe them our best. We owe it to them to give them our time – not
when we are irritated, stressed-out and tired, but when we are relaxed, in a good space, and tolerant!
Let us all try during this time
to become better parents!
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