In a quote once found in the Minneapolis Tribune, a boy said to his mother, “You never mention the dirt I track out.”
That simple sentence caused me to stop and think about how much easier it is for me as a mom to focus on what my children have messed up or how they are doing something wrong rather than seeing all that they do right.
Each day I have an opportunity to fill up their little hearts and minds with encouraging words and loving actions. This requires that I observe them and look for opportunities to praise the good that they do.
It is certainly easy to fall into the habit of nagging or correcting and often harder to build positive reinforcement into their upbringing. While times of chastening and admonishment are necessary, I hope that I will more often seek to catch those moments of “goodness” and reward them.
This post is linked to Make Your Home Sing Monday and Homemaker Monday.
photo from morgue file
What a beautiful reminder to fill their hearts with good things. I will also seek those moments of goodness! Thanks for sharing today.
Awesome post and so very true. I know that it doesn't come naturally (at least to me) but if we work at it and pray about it, it becomes much easier with practice.
I also remember how my kids just seemed to eat up the praise, and they would smile so big! Thank you for joining us today!
Kids always have a way of reminding us to stay on track, don't they. I need to try harder to focus on the positive. It makes everyone happier!