Build-a-Child
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Frederick Douglass
We want to build strong children. Strong, earthquake proof children! However, any building regardless of the advanced engineering, will fail if the foundation is soft. And of course, no building is guaranteed 100%. Take a look at Gandhi’s “tower” of assertion with me:
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
your thoughts become your words,
your words become your actions,
your actions become your habits,
your habits become your values,
and your values become your destiny.
There is structure and growth as we see the blueprint of strength in this quote and I like this quote a lot! But it doesn’t start from the very beginning. The foundation is missing. What comes before beliefs? Instruction. Beliefs do not form from nothing. This quote could have started like this: Your instruction or teaching becomes your beliefs.
How your child responds as an adult to seismic waves, is a direct result of your teaching. Are you laying a soft or a strong foundation? Emphasizing character is the strongest foundation you can lay as a parent. Listen to your words this week:
Good girl. (soft)
Thank you for being a finisher and picking up ALL the toys. (strong)
Stop hitting! (soft)
Let’s use your hands always for good and not bad. (strong)
You look so pretty! (soft)
Look how well you chose your clothes today! (strong)
Think you got this. Now, go build a child!
