Sophie turned four two weeks ago. I’m so glad that the terrible twos and three stage are behind us and I love her at this age. At four, she suddenly seems to be oozing with so much sweetness that honey or cupcakes would be a more fitting term for her.
I like to affirm her daily by telling her things that I love about her and one thing I adore is how she’s a beam of sunshine. In fact, she’s got so much positivity spilling out from her that some days she can be my biggest cheerleader.
On weekends, when we sleep in, Sophie is the chirpy one to wake us up with her morning smiles exclaiming, “It’s morning! Rise and shine everybody!” It’s hard not to smile when greeted by her and how she looks forward to having fun with us on weekends. When she sees me working out at home and dying from exhaustion, she’s the one who reminds me, “Don’t stop mummy. You can do it!”
Knowing that I’m setting an example for her to be healthy keeps me going. Sophie has a rather competitive streak in her and hates to lose and be the last. But lately, she’s taught me something that there are no losers. Losers are only for those who do not even try. If I look back, I don’t think I have been a positive influence for her all the time. In fact, she’s seem the best and the worst of me. That includes blowing my top, being frustrated (especially) when it comes to driving or dealing with arguments with Alexis (which we try not to infront of her).
And yesterday, I was lectured by her for eating her ice cream without her permission and she told me sternly, “I am very upset at you because you eat my ice cream without my permission.” Gosh that sure sounds like me.
For a four-year old, she’s a sponge, seeing and observing everything.
It’s a reminder to me, that I can’t tell her how to behave, how to react, how to be….because she’s modeling after us.
For her to be the kind of person I want her to be, I first have to be that person.
And how do I do that?
Simply by modelling the kind of behavior for her to see before I can expect to see the same from her. It’s not always easy but I think it’s working 🙂 How are you being a positive influence for your children everyday?
Do link up every Monday with my Motivational Mondays post. Don’t forget to grab my badge and include it in your post after you have linked up and leave me a comment too. I will be hosting Motivational Monday every week and I hope that you can join me every Monday. Have a great week ahead!
<div align="center"><a href="http://ajugglingmom.com/2012/08/motivational-monday-linky-party-cook-for-family-initiative " title="www.ajugglingmom.com"><img src="http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj499/Susan_koh/MM-1.jpg" alt="www.ajugglingmom.com" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
‘); // ]]>
Tagged: behaviour, positive influence, toddler
Oh I’m beginning to experience the start of the terrible twos and I am so glad that I have the age of four to look forward to (hopefully)! 😛 I agree that parents should be a positive influence on children and it is something I have to remind myself constantly. After all, we are but human and have our own bad habits and flaws. So in a way, it’s great that with kids, you are constantly motivated to put on your best front and to behave at all times! 😛
Oh yes indeed. One thing I’m doing is to control my temper and watch how I react when I get mad as I find her shouting when she’s unhappy. I know it’s her way to show her displeasure, but I also want to teach her that there are another ways to voice our displeasure.
Just found your blog! It’s nice to know that you are also a working mum cum blogger! At age of 4 is a wonderful age as the kid is independent, you need not do much things for her now, although you have to handle some of her backtalk and her increasing yearn for more say in lots of conversation. Enjoy the innocence and bubbling personality!
Hi Christy,
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I’m enjoying her at this age very much especially the cute conversations that we have. It’s almost like she’s lost her babyness and became a big girl overnight. I’m going to cherish this time with her very much.
they are indeed sponges and model themselves on us. i’d go “oh sh*it!” when something bad happens and now, the next thing i know, i have my son repeating that!! now, i try to use “oh shucks”. haha!
I know. I’ve learnt my lesson on using forbidden words myself and am learning to bite my tongue before I blurt our the wrong things.