This is something that my son's speech teacher wrote for the parents. I thought it was something rather compelling for others to read that have kids.
A Clean Page
A child's life is a blank page.
You, that child's parent, write upon it
What will the first words be?
"Shut up! Get out of my sight!"
"Look at the mess you've made!"
"Go play, don't touch."
"Now see what you've done!"
"Beat it! Scram!"
These words teach fear.
They register unwantedness.
They say, "I don't love you."
Let them supply high moral principles,
Courage to meet life's disappointments,
Pride in a job well done.
Faith in a mighty nod, Love.
"Beautiful, Son. You did a fine job."
"Come look at the lovely sunset."
"Do you know how this works?"
"Don't worry; we'll clean it up."
"What's a little dirt? Pants wash."
"Here. Feel it. Look at it closley."
"I'm so proud of you.
When your child is grown, you will look at him and see the words on that blank page. Be proud of them.
Beth Appelgate.
This got to me. Because I have actually said a few of these things to my own children at times. I am not a perfect parent, but I do try to take time to know my children. Love them, and incase them in warmth. I never expected these few words to really impact me as they did. I catch myself alot of times, when my daughter needs my attention, how I am sometimes to busy to stop, and listen. Or that my son isn't doing his homework as he should. Or that they will be gone one day. This morning, my 7 year old son, Drake, was helping me fold clothes, and put them away. He stopped, and said, "Mom, I'm never going to leave home."
I was never happier to hear this from him. Even though I know in time those words will change. He will grow up, and have a family of his own, and I will be keeping my grandchildren.
I was shocked, but at the same time, the thought of them growing up one day, and leaving struck me. So, I pulled out this poem his speech teacher wrote last week for us. I can say right now I am crying inside deep. Although, I will miss my children's quarky things said and done. I smile on the outside knowing that I love them. All five of them. And cannot ever miss them because they have impacted my life so heavily. So, when I close my eyes at night after a long day of arguements, and joy. I can be at peace to know, my children are my clean page.
Sincerely,
Sabrina
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Comments: 7
My daughter said the same thing. Now she's 16 and can't wait to leave home. The kind of moment you had with your 7 year old are precious. Hang on to them.
This is a nice thought provoking article on how we treat our children. I've said it on gather before and I'll reiterate, "We should hug our children every day."
No parent is perfect Sabrina, the fact your son was doing laundry with you and not crying or upset tells us you have some wonderful parenting qualities.
He loves coming to Roxy's house, because unlike the other places he visits it's okay to touch things and help out.
I believe that children should never be told that they can't do things. I make sure that nothing he is doing can harm him, but if there is something he should't touch or play with I will show it to him, explain why, and put it back.
Unbelievable that at the age of 2 he can understand why I don't want him to do it. He may not understand the reason, but he seems to know that it's important to me that he doesn't touch it.
His mother is my younger sister, and although she does a fine job I sometimes think she's almost too young yet to have children. I also think that after being with them 24/7 she doesn't have the energy and it's just easier to yell.