Personality Check

Supportive Mothering : Atmosphere for Success

open dialogue, mothering, talking to your child, Christian community, emotionally healthy tweens, personality check

Hello sisters,

If you are up for sharing a little please comment below if you have kids or not. It will determine which blogs I publish more of for now. I have a freshly turned 9 year old. I'm sick about it. "How did she get so big and independent?" Of course, I want her to be but, I also want her to want her mom a little. I'm already at the point where I have to beg for hugs. I thought that was a teenager thing. Guess that's why they're called tweens.

Nevertheless, we have the best conversations. You know the one thing we all dread about social media, job interviews. and meeting new people is the statement: "Tell me about yourself." Your mind goes blank and instantly there is nothing about you worth talking about. As I was rebranding this company and pondered the need for three words that summed me up similar to a slogan. I came up with blogger, writer, mother. Overcomer, leader, helper. Author, jotter, dreamer.

To clear my mind, I decided to ask my daughter how would she describe me. She said "Thinker. Creative. Principled. Balanced. Christian." I was absolutely floored. Not only because she answered quickly but, the fact I needed context on some.

Me: Girl, how am I principled?

Her: You take care of yourself.

I didn't think that would be something she noticed. Mentally that was true but physically I had not. She had seen me working on my cravings and water intake. Kids pay attention to a lot more than we think. Open dialogue is important with your children. There are mountains of information being fed to them on YouTube, at school from kids and adults alike. They will be left to themselves to determine how to adapt, react, or process information. They need you as their guide whether they realize it or not yet.

Me: How would you describe yourself?

Her: Creative, kind, and funny.

This turned into a bonding moment learned her teacher actually had them do an exercise at school on birthdays. If it was your birthday people would have to go around the room and say something nice about them. Beautiful bonding for her 3rd grade class. Would I know my daughter's inner monologue if I didn't ask? If I wasn't curious about the way she saw herself.

I get at times we feel we are too busy to explore things or elaborate on why you answered yes or no. This should not be always. It's vital to explain and explore when you do have the time. Your child saying "My mama told me I couldn't." Will only help so much when it comes to peer pressure. People will easily be able to convince your child of other guidelines for behavior, questioning authorities, or changing rules.

If you do not have kids and have read this far, kids will make you learn about yourself 1000x better than anything else. Sometimes the guidance I give my daughter I realized I needed that tool as well for myself. Ex. staying calm in traffic, in relationships with others, or even frustrations at work. You are the example. Don't neglect to teach your first student.