Peace and Joy at Home: Accept and Affirm Your Child’s Personality
Day 6 of Peace and Joy at Home
Last Thursday I had two great blessings in one day: this post from Sally Clarkson, and reading chapter 7 in Seasons of a Mother's Heart.
Both convinced me of the need to embrace the unique personality of each of my children.
To see them as made by God.
God doesn't make mistakes. He gave each child their own bent and placed them in my care. I am the right mom for them. You are the right mom for your kids, too.
I have wanted to write this post for days and have pondered Sally's words all weekend. But I feel so ill-equipped to express these thoughts.
All I can say is this: what a difference it makes in the life of a child to know they are accepted and loved.
To be treated with respect and understanding. To receive sympathy from the ones they care about the most.
I've been trying to put myself in the shoes of my children and really imagine what it is like to be corrected or criticized. What does a frown or disappointed expression look like to them?
I think the Golden Rule extends to them.
Being a parent is one of the most difficult (and rewarding) tasks anyone can do. If your child is very different from you, or has an “out-of-the-box” personality, it can be more strenuous and sometimes just plain baffling.
Looking at our children, knowing God's hand is in their quirks and challenges, helps me to see these things are strengths to be guided and shaped rather than something bad that needs to be squished or removed.
I'm not sure that I'm making a whole lot of sense here.
What I want to say is that accepting and affirming a child's personality gives them comfort and confidence.
As Sally said in her book:
Your children need to know that you accept them as God made them, not as your personality wants them to become.
This acceptance is part of building a firm foundation for peace and joy at home.
I'm linking up to Erin's Mom heart book club linkup.
This is exactly what I have been trying to work on lately as a mom! You put it so well! I feel that I didn’t always get that kind of respect when I was little because I was little and I am trying to get rid of that mindset and treat my children with the respect they deserve. Thanks for the great post!
Oh wow, you’re reading “Seasons of a mother’s heart”! Me too…I just stumbled upon your site. I have been hoping to find someone who is reading it for some time now to be able to discuss it. I like her work…it’s been very….well humbling and reassuring. I have a son who will be 5 in January and I am homeschooling too…so having Sally “close by” has been nurturing to say the least. Reach out if you can.
Hi Kaye,
I’m glad you are reading Season’s of a Mother’s Heart! It is good, isn’t it?
Do you also read Sally’s blog? That is good, too. And did you notice Erin’s link-up with other mother’s sharing from the book?
I’m glad you stopped by and left a comment. I’m looking forward to getting to know you 🙂
Sally also has a mom heart conference, which I know will be awesome!