A child is like dough. You can shape it, mold it, spread it thin or just stick in one place. Dough is the base of most food just like children are the foundation of our society.
Your child is a malleable outcome of your own work, so why don’t you make a “chef d’oeuvre” out of him?
Your child is a malleable outcome of your own work, so why don’t you make a “chef d’oeuvre” out of him?
As an aunt to two kids and a non-biological aunt to six others (my close cousins' children), I watched babies grow. I told stories, played games, made pinky promises and put them to sleep. I even changed diapers!
And as a teacher and an observer of a child’s development, I had daily contact with kids. I've seen confidence, weakness and sorrow in the small eyes of my students. I was able to see through each one’s face and dive deep inside to read them.
And after five years of teaching, I can spot strong personalities, developed characters and intelligence. However, I’m afraid I’m able to recognize mashed beings, crushed identities as well as undiscovered cleverness. [For I believe that each person is smart in his own way.]
And as a teacher and an observer of a child’s development, I had daily contact with kids. I've seen confidence, weakness and sorrow in the small eyes of my students. I was able to see through each one’s face and dive deep inside to read them.
And after five years of teaching, I can spot strong personalities, developed characters and intelligence. However, I’m afraid I’m able to recognize mashed beings, crushed identities as well as undiscovered cleverness. [For I believe that each person is smart in his own way.]
Then I came to realize that there seems to be an error or a malfunction in the way we raise our offsprings. I may not have the right to judge since I got no babies of my own, but I’m certain that a baby needs LOTS and LOTS of time, affection and awareness.
Each word he hears will change him. Hurtful things will not be forgotten even after decades. Therefore, ensure that your child’s well is dug too deep so it never runs dry, no matter how many people drink off it.
Each word he hears will change him. Hurtful things will not be forgotten even after decades. Therefore, ensure that your child’s well is dug too deep so it never runs dry, no matter how many people drink off it.
Locate your child’s source of joy.
Teach your kid that his OWN happiness comes first! He was not born to please others or to be up to any person’s expectations.
Let his contentment generate from within him, and not be dependent on anybody or anything.
So if it makes him happy to wear green with red, even if he’d look like a Lebanese flag, be it!
And keep in mind that he is not your lottery ticket. He is not there to make your most absurd dreams come true. Therefore, allow him to create his own.
Teach your kid that his OWN happiness comes first! He was not born to please others or to be up to any person’s expectations.
Let his contentment generate from within him, and not be dependent on anybody or anything.
So if it makes him happy to wear green with red, even if he’d look like a Lebanese flag, be it!
And keep in mind that he is not your lottery ticket. He is not there to make your most absurd dreams come true. Therefore, allow him to create his own.
Fuel your kid’s confidence engine.
Train your kid to call himself beautiful and to smile at his own reflection in a mirror. Coach him to count his blessings rather than pointing out his flaws. Make sure he knows he’ll go places.
If he doesn't believe in himself, don’t expect others to do so.
Train your kid to call himself beautiful and to smile at his own reflection in a mirror. Coach him to count his blessings rather than pointing out his flaws. Make sure he knows he’ll go places.
If he doesn't believe in himself, don’t expect others to do so.
Build up his wall against criticism.
Lecture him that when he enters a room full of people, he is the one to wonder whether he likes them and NOT whether they like him.
Educate him that no matter what he does, people are going to criticize anyway, so he might as well be comfortable in his own skin.
Lecture him that when he enters a room full of people, he is the one to wonder whether he likes them and NOT whether they like him.
Educate him that no matter what he does, people are going to criticize anyway, so he might as well be comfortable in his own skin.
Hang his safety net for him to fall on.
Open his eyes on your beliefs and strengthen his faith (no matter what religion, sect or group you belong to). A kid who lacks spirituality will always have hollowness in his chest and will be easily defeated when facing a simple obstacle. Practise what you preach though. Show him that it’s a daily effort. But remember not to overdo it because more is less!
Open his eyes on your beliefs and strengthen his faith (no matter what religion, sect or group you belong to). A kid who lacks spirituality will always have hollowness in his chest and will be easily defeated when facing a simple obstacle. Practise what you preach though. Show him that it’s a daily effort. But remember not to overdo it because more is less!
Hand him a red marker to correct himself.
When he makes a mistake, never try to erase it because he should learn from his own faux pas. Instead, leave him to correct his faults. Life offers many chances and so should you.
When he makes a mistake, never try to erase it because he should learn from his own faux pas. Instead, leave him to correct his faults. Life offers many chances and so should you.
Put your red cape on!
Be his superhero. Not by having powers or muscles but by having manners.
Even if you’re having the worst day ever, even if you’re stuck in the city’s crazy traffic, don’t use big words. There is nothing worse than hearing a child repeat insults. Think of a 5 year old rapping one of Kanye West’s song. That’s about the same thing.
Keep your promises. If you lie once, your kid will be able to smell your next lie from across the globe. And then you’ll lose his trust.
Be silly together, laugh giddily, enjoy the little stuff and always do things for the first time.
Be his superhero. Not by having powers or muscles but by having manners.
Even if you’re having the worst day ever, even if you’re stuck in the city’s crazy traffic, don’t use big words. There is nothing worse than hearing a child repeat insults. Think of a 5 year old rapping one of Kanye West’s song. That’s about the same thing.
Keep your promises. If you lie once, your kid will be able to smell your next lie from across the globe. And then you’ll lose his trust.
Be silly together, laugh giddily, enjoy the little stuff and always do things for the first time.
So if you’re a parent, get off the internet and go spend time with your little ones. And if you’re married, go make some babies and make use of this blog post. But if you’re neither, just lie down on the couch or take a nap, cherish what you have in place, because it just won’t last forever.
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| Syrian kids playing with as little as they got! |
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