As a mom to 5 children, there are times that my children will look to me for answers to some of the most obscure questions.
Does this ever happen to you? I can still remember looking into my little guy's eyes as he anticipated the answer to why glass doesn't smell.
To this day I have yet to give an answer that would satisfy some of the most curious questions, no matter how much I try.
This is when it hit me.
There will be times that you can't satisfy every need or whim.
Oh sure, there are times you will try, but more often than not, you will not succeed.
But guess what? It's okay! You are not expected to cure every ailment or answer every question, it's quite okay to not know the answers.
This is why I tell my children that I am NOT a super hero but that they can be their own super hero.
They've looked at me with confusing looks until just recently.
They are now understanding that many will not be able to provide the adequate answers or provide the information that they desire.
It is during those times when they must be their own super hero.
They must be comfortable and confident with their own understanding and be their own super hero.
They must be willing to go on their own adventures and experience their own successes and failures.
They must not always rely on their parents because we are only here to guide them.
As much as I want to hold them and squeeze them and protect them from every danger and evil that lurks in this world, I can not! The only thing I can do is: - Prepare them and help to build their confidence and self esteem and independence.
- Teach them to search for their own answers and not always rely on others.
- Teach them that it's perfectly okay to fail because they will then know the meaning of success.
- Model the behavior that I would want them to possess (they learn by example) - Teach them not to be afraid to ask for help because even super heroes need assistance.
- Empower them to achieve the greatness that is within them.
- Teach them to be kind and loving towards others.
(important super hero quality) - Most importantly not compare themselves with others because they are unique and special and not carbon copies.
So will I continue to be my children's super hero? Perhaps I will, but one day my dream is that they will be their own super hero.
That is when I know my job is complete and I will be able to rest assured that they will grow strong and survive the world that awaits them.
Does this ever happen to you? I can still remember looking into my little guy's eyes as he anticipated the answer to why glass doesn't smell.
To this day I have yet to give an answer that would satisfy some of the most curious questions, no matter how much I try.
This is when it hit me.
There will be times that you can't satisfy every need or whim.
Oh sure, there are times you will try, but more often than not, you will not succeed.
But guess what? It's okay! You are not expected to cure every ailment or answer every question, it's quite okay to not know the answers.
This is why I tell my children that I am NOT a super hero but that they can be their own super hero.
They've looked at me with confusing looks until just recently.
They are now understanding that many will not be able to provide the adequate answers or provide the information that they desire.
It is during those times when they must be their own super hero.
They must be comfortable and confident with their own understanding and be their own super hero.
They must be willing to go on their own adventures and experience their own successes and failures.
They must not always rely on their parents because we are only here to guide them.
As much as I want to hold them and squeeze them and protect them from every danger and evil that lurks in this world, I can not! The only thing I can do is: - Prepare them and help to build their confidence and self esteem and independence.
- Teach them to search for their own answers and not always rely on others.
- Teach them that it's perfectly okay to fail because they will then know the meaning of success.
- Model the behavior that I would want them to possess (they learn by example) - Teach them not to be afraid to ask for help because even super heroes need assistance.
- Empower them to achieve the greatness that is within them.
- Teach them to be kind and loving towards others.
(important super hero quality) - Most importantly not compare themselves with others because they are unique and special and not carbon copies.
So will I continue to be my children's super hero? Perhaps I will, but one day my dream is that they will be their own super hero.
That is when I know my job is complete and I will be able to rest assured that they will grow strong and survive the world that awaits them.