Hello Everyone! As I reflect today on my own life, and some of the standards that I have in parenting, the word “Influence” comes to mind. I realize that some of these standards derived from people who have influenced me over the years in little and small ways. Thanks to wise words from other parents, which has impacted me so I can be my child’s “greatest influence”(Seed 23). Is there anyone you know that you want to acknowledge for the positive influence they’ve had on you as a parent? Sharing your testimony of how another parent influenced you, can also have an effect on someone else that may read your comment. I encourage you today to share and be a positive influence in someone’s life today. Leave your testimony in the comment section; subscribe and share with others so they can be impacted and be of influence to someone else.
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One of the most impactful pieces of parenting advice I ever received and retained was “live like you have kids”. I used to babysit for a friend, while I was in college, and when I visited one day I noticed she had made major changes to her living and dining room. When I inquired about what happened to all of her beautiful trinkets and unique art she explained that she wasn’t going to make her kids adapt to her pre-child way of living. She wanted their home to be a place they all enjoyed and that meant she had to make adjustments. And for her, “living like you have kids”, meant being ok with not having a picture perfect home but having a home that looks lived in and feels loving even if that includes toys on the floor and crayon on the walls. Making sure her kids equate home with a sense of belonging and not a place where they have to walk on egg shells. I carry that wisdom with me and use it whenever I am tempted to place a standard of perfection on myself or my own children when it comes to making our home a place of comfort and not control.
Thanks for sharing Mom. I was one of the kids that had to walk on “egg shells”. My home environment was set up with all the trinkets; I couldn’t touch any of it.I did not have a lot of play space, so I longed to be outside. The standard that you are setting of making your home comfortable and not controlled will live on through your children. They will remember growing in that environment and having freedom. Thanks again for sharing.