LOVE AND SUPPORT
IN HARD TIMES
You were given these children – no one else.
You were given these children because you are who they need.
You have the soul to love them even on their hard days.
You have the motivation and love to give them everything they need.
You have the heart to wake up every morning and do it
all over again, even when you are exhausted. You have the
smile that they crave and the touch to make
everything okay. You are their sunshine and their comfort.
You are theirs and they are yours, Mama.
On the days you are questioning yourself, remember this.
Call on the Holy Spirit! He is our Helper
-Author Unknown
When your child is struggling at school, with friends or sports and activities, sometimes it is difficult to figure out how best to respond. If your child is having a meltdown first step back and try seeing the problem through their eyes. It’s a big deal to them. Don’t be judgmental or critical.
Dr. Lea Walter’s book “The Strength Switch: How the New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish is a great reference to help you understand the importance of paying attention to your children and boosting their strengths, rather than focusing on the negative. Dr. Walter’s says this attention will lead them to greater optimism, resiliency and success.
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
We parents want to protect our children at all costs, but sometimes the best way to protect them is to teach them to have a thick skin. Let them know it is normal to feel bad when things don’t go as expected. It may take a while for a child to learn this, so be patient. Once they have calmed down, talk to them about why they got upset and how they can deal with bad situations when they come up in the future.
Do you remember the old acrostic for fear that was popular years ago?
F-false
E- evidence
A-appearing
R-real
Fear is something we all feel as a natural response to physical danger. But it can also be self-created, such as the fear of failure, of the dark, of being out of control, of being different.
You have a choice: when fear knocks, let the Word of God answer the door. Choose to believe that the Lord will give you the assurance to confidently face any fearful circumstance. Fear may be knocking but His word will knock out fear.
The power of God’s word will conquer fear. This is a good time to lean on the Holy Spirit for help. Teach your child scriptures that will build confidence in them. The Bible is full of scriptures that deal with fear and discouragement. One of my favorites is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go.” Help your child understand that when fear, doubt and discouragement tries to creep in, they can hold firm to the truth of God’s Word.
God sees our pain.
God knows our thoughts.
God knows what is causing us fear and anxiety
The problems we face in our lives seem so huge that we forget we serve the God of the entire universe and He lives inside us!
-Just another way to Fight for the Family