My not-so-little Sophie just turned 8 years old last week. Even though she’s more than capable of tucking herself into bed, the realisation that my baby is growing up too soon makes me want to hit that slow motion button to savour her remaining childlike years before they slip by.
So one thing that Sophie and I look forward to at the end of the day is bedtime. Besides the fact that I still read with her, (we just finished Sherlock Sam and we both rate it 5 stars), we like to snuggle in bed together where I’ll lie next to her as she recounts her day to me.
It’s no wonder Sophie still prefers mummy to put her to sleep as she gets hushed to sleep if she so dares make a squeak by Daddy’s army like style when he’s in charge.
Among our many bedtime conversations, what she said just last week got me reflecting about how my words became her inner voice.
“Mummy, today the teacher teach us to think positive thoughts and to be positive.” She went on, “Miss Chow said that when her daughter didn’t do well in her test, she’ll not scold her. But Miss Chow will tell her not to give up and try harder the next time.”
When she said that, I was pondering if it was her way of telling me what she needed to hear from me when she didn’t do as well in school. So when I probed and asked if I should learn from her teacher, she grabbed my arm, gave it a big squeeze and exclaimed, “You always tell me positive things and to try harder next time already. Thank you mummy!”
Thankfully, the lights are out and she didn’t see the tears that rolled down my cheek.
Tears that affirmed my role as a supporting mum.
Tears of joy that she sees my heart and how I’m always rooting for her to be the best she can be.
The silent reinforcement that with constant encouragement she can be shaped to be a confident young lady.
The Power of Our Words
Hearing this was a reminder that my words have the power to build or crush her. And while I’m not proud to admit it, there were countless times where hurtful words were blurted out in the heat of the moment and I said things that made Sophie feel awful about herself. But I’m trying and I’m still a work-in-progress.
Reading this status update from my Facebook post a year ago made me realize just how my words have become Sophie’s inner voice and thank God that it’s an encouraging and supportive voice where she knows she can do what she sets her mind on.
Though parenting is the toughest job in the world, but it’s times like these where I know it’s all worth it.
How are you shaping your child’s inner voice?
As parents we have a tremendous responsibility on how our children view themselves.So let’s speak kindly to our kids. Let’s support them and remind them that they are loved no matter what happens.
Let’s encourage them and motivate them so that they can be resilient and have the courage to take on things greater than themselves.
Think positive thoughts and be positive!
If you enjoyed this post, you may like these posts where I share my heart about parenting.
- All I’m asking is for you to try
- What my child will remember about me
- Filing my child’s emotional love tank
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Tagged: Confident parenting, positive parenting, primary school, school life
Little Sophie is becoming mature day by day. And she is learning from you like my son learning from me. It is the vital time for their growth. Thanks for the amazing post!
Excellent. Think it pays off to spend all the most important moments of their youth and grow up benefiting from it. Its all worth the effort.