Dear Mom, I Need You

Dear Mom, I Need You. Today I’m writing the cry of our children’s hearts. You may never hear these words out loud. They might not even know this is what they are feeling, but this is what their heart is saying. This plea is a reminder to me as much as it is a reminder to all the parents out there.

Dear Mom, I Need You

• Please set boundaries. They make me feel safe.
• Listen. I need someone to talk to, and sometimes you can’t hear because you’re talking too much, or you are only half-listening because you are distracted.
• Pray for me. God hears, and I need His help.
• Let me be a kid. I learn through play. I don’t want to be scheduled all the time. I will grow up soon enough. Don’t rush it.
• Have patience. I don’t get it yet. My brain can’t get the words to express how I feel, and I’m learning about how this life works. Sometimes I act without thinking because I don’t understand the consequences. This will get better.
• Ask questions. I’ll open up more if you ask questions rather than giving opinions.
• Let me experience consequences. I need to learn about cause and effect, and you are doing me a disservice when you rescue me all the time. Read more about the dangers of substitution parenting here.
• Be present. I know there is something appealing about that screen of yours, but I want you to look at me and really hear me. I feel like Facebook is more important to you than I am.
• Love my dad. This makes me feel secure and makes me respect him too. Read this one tip that will transform your marriage.
• Be consistent. I need to know what to expect.
• Be flexible. Be willing to adapt when things are not working with me. Being teachable in parenting will take you a long way.
• Ask for forgiveness. You hurt me, and I need to experience healing in our relationship.
• Spend time with me. I’m growing up quickly. Other things can wait. Soon you’ll wish you had cherished this time.
• Be content. I can see your discontentment on your face, and it’s impacting me. It makes me discontent too.
• Praise my efforts. I need to know what I’m doing right. I want to know my worth. Find out the best way to praise me here.
• Be intentional. I’m never going to learn without your guidance.
• Don’t spoil me. Getting everything I want is crippling.
• Don’t yell. It builds walls and intimidates me.
• Protect me but don’t over protect me. The world is dangerous, and I need your protection. However, I need to learn to live in this world too. It’s going to be hard to find the balance but please do. Grit is one of the best things you can teach me. Grit is one of the top predictors of success.
• Don’t rely on others to teach me. I want to hear from YOU. Send me to church. Send me to school, but teach me in your home first and foremost.
• Time is the best gift you can give me.
• Show me. Don’t use your words. I need you to model it for me.
• Know me. I am unique. I respond differently to love and consequences. I am not my sister or my brother, and I am not you either. Help me figure out my individuality and embrace it.
• Release me. As I get older, I need some independence. I will fail. I will get back up.
• Love me. I need to feel it.

Want More Parenting Ideas?

Parenting is tough. This blog was born out of a desire to do it better than I was doing while encouraging and equipping parents along the way. Visit my Parenting Tips tab to learn more.

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