Join
Connect With Us
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
TM
Loading
Advertisement
FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS
Facebook
Website of the Month
 | ||||
MOM'S CORNER
by Brandy M. Woodley
Children are such interesting little humans. From the statements they make to their peculiar actions, they often leave us in tears from laughter or frustration. Either way, observing their changes from day to day in their small world is somewhat majestic-to step back and think that this little person smiling and talking to you was once as big as your hand and inside your womb. My momII (my step-mother) once told me, in the midst of my frustration with my three angels, that children see their mothers as magical. From their perspective, we (moms) are giants who are chefs, cleaning ladies, nurses, teachers, mechanics, teddy bears, disciplinarians and more all wrapped up in one beautiful package that provide for their every little need (and some desires). It is definitely the hardest job!
I recently was reminded of the metaphor of how we as parents are the bows that shoot our children as arrows out into the world. Keeping that visual in mind daily can really help in how we interact with them. Stop and think about your interaction with your child(ren) yesterday, today or just 15 minutes ago. Where is that arrow pointing right now? Our actions and words determine the direction our arrows point and ultimately land. Praise is one of the greatest tools that we as parents can utilize to keep that arrow strong and aiming towards the sky. If you are not used to doing it regularly or daily, it can be hard to get in the rhythm of doing it-especially with the smaller feats that your child accomplishes. However, as with anything worth doing, practice makes perfect.
Having three children (five and under), deployed husband, new installation, no family and working my own business and on a magazine-I do feel strained and frustrated A LOT. I didn’t always feel like stopping to praise my girls for picking up every toy, going potty “in time,” eating all their food, brushing teeth, washing hands, saying thank you, sharing with sisters, etc. I have had to really work at recognizing their little deeds along with the big ones. It has not been easy but it is slowly becoming second nature the more that I work at it. I have also noticed more peace and positiveness within the household, especially when it comes to disciplining.
I never really feel that I am a good mother until someone on the outside compliments my children, which I have to brag about its frequency-if only they acted so sweet and good to each other (and me) at home, as well. A high school friend posted on my Facebook page recently that God made our offsprings so darn cute (big eyes, sweet voices, smiles and contagious laughs), so it would be harder to reach the extremity of the anger chart-or at least stay there as long.
Do your best to keep your arrow strong and poised upright. Start off with big accomplishments and continuously add on the smaller actions. Praise them for saying please when they ask for candy, for sharing their favorite toy with a sibling, for going to bed without hassle and especially for those unexpected kisses and hugs given without prompting. There is nothing too big or small that is not praiseworthy.
As the bow, you have a huge responsibility to aim your arrow(s) high. Realize now, rather than later, the impact you have on where and what your children will become as a result of your actions now. Praise them, teach and demonstrate goodness at every opportunity, provide nurturing and love on them as much as possible. The type of seeds you plant and water in them now will grow in abundance with each year-what seeds did you plant today? If it was not wholesome or beneficial, work to dig it out and plant a seed of love, peace and goodness in its place.
Your parents probably did the best they could, according to their circumstances, to aim you high. I know mine did. My goal is to aim my children even higher than where I soared. As military families, I believe it is harder to keep our bows so high with the extras of deployments, moving, family and close friends in other states and constant readjustment weighing on us-however, we have to persevere and find the strength to do so. My fellow Army mamas, I encourage you to keep your bows high and your arrows aimed for the stars.
Brandy M. Woodley
Editor in Chief
brandy@armywifemagazine.com
Family and Relationships
Brandy Woodley, Liz McChesney, Moni Tucker
Advertisement
Archived articles will be posted soon!
Brandy M. Woodley
Editor in Chief
Liz McChesney
Dep. Exec. Editor
Monica Tucker
Founder/Publisher
Advertisement
...coming...
