Listen. Learn. Love

What does parenting mean in three words?

To me a mother of four sons, it means. Listen. Learn. Love.

Listen to what they say. Who they are. What they like. What they are interested in. Listen to their fears. Listen to their anger. Listen to their rudeness. Listen to their sadness. Listening to their silliness. Listen to their craziness. Listen to their happiness. Listen to their minds, what do they say? Listen to their words. Just listen. Listen to the unique spirit with a heartbeat you have bought into the world.

By listening you learn. Children have much to teach us. They are open. They are receptive. The have ideas, wild imaginations. Big personalities. Learn their emotions, their moods. Learn who they are. Learn who they want to be. Not who you want them to be. Learning their limits, their edges, their boundaries.

Learning what music they like. Learn the friends they choose. Learn from their mistakes. Learn from their angers and frustrations. Learn from their tears and their fears. Learn from their happiness and joy. Learn from their creativity and their individuality. Don’t put children in a box of conformity. All children are unique and so to are their experiences and they tell you who they are and what they’ve experienced if you bother to learn and allow them to be.

Then love.

Love them so much.

In loving them you keep them safe.

Love them and teach the most powerful language they need to learn is NO.

Teach them love by vocalising their truth.

Lovingly allow your children to be themselves.

Love is really an evolution, and evolution of growth.

Love is forgiving, it is affectionate, it is kind.

Love is playful.

Love is what we must be and do.

Hug them and make them feel safe. Tell them you love them always. Kiss the top of their heads.

Let boys feel comfortable in saying they love you. Not ashamed. All children, boys and girls love. Children are children. They deserve to be safe & heard and protected always. Children have voices which must be heard, respected & protected. Children are our future, they are wise, beautiful & free spirits.

Teach them the gift of free thought & speech.

So when it comes to parenting.

Listen. Learn. Love