Cherish Yesterday and Dream Tomorrow

Texture by Kim Klassen; Faved, 50% Multiply

Twix is six and a half months old! And I thought it might be fun to commemorate that milestone with a shot of her in the same basket used when she was just a month old. She was sooo small! Three weeks early, she lived on a bili blanket for what seemed like forever to get her jaundice levels under control.

But, as you can see, she’s thriving…and hitting most of her developmental milestones. With Peanut at Kindergarten, it’s just Twix, me and work for most of the day. And as long as you don’t mess with her schedule…or put her in a carseat…life is good. She’s one of the only babies I’ve met that HATES riding in a car!

I’m waiting for my muse to return and have so many snippets of ideas running through my head most of the time, it’s hard to keep up. What’s been running and jumping around in my head lately is the reminder there are impressionable wee ones in the house now. Whether they are (almost) six years old or six months old, they watch…..and learn from what they observe.

Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate. ~Unknown

So we need to be mindful of our actions, words and behaviors…because those will speak volumes. We’re working on reinforcing positive behaviors for Peanut….she’s been through a lot of transitions these past few months. We need to make sure what we’re saying to her is consistent with what we, ourselves, are doing. You know….walking the walk instead of just talking the talk.

When she looks at us, what are we teaching her about priorities and relationships? Which of our actions (and reactions) will she pick up as her own? What are we unconsciously teaching her by the choices we make? Teach by example takes on an entirely new meaning now. Are we teaching how to see the good things in life and be thankful for them; or how to be bitter and resentful when things don’t go our way? Are we good examples of how to keep a strong faith in the middle of crisis, or showing her how to cut bait and run the opposite direction?

Children learn more from what you are than what you teach. ~W.E.B.Du Bois

So many times, I wonder about how she sees her world. When she watches Mama, Nana and Papa, what imprints on her memory? Are we disciplining unacceptable behaviors in a positive, patient way? When we speak to her, are we using words of love and encouragement….or using words that might come back to haunt us later?

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. ~Peggy O’Mara

The inner voice. So important down the road. What children hear when they are young from parents, friends and those who are not friends makes such an impression on how children view themselves when they grow up.

And how do we successfully teach how to navigate this thing called life? Perhaps teaching Peanut and Twix how to balance life’s hopes and dreams with the inevitable disappointments is one of the most important lessons to learn. And the most effective way we can do that is to show them…not just tell them.

A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable. If you’re always shoving your child away, they will cling to you for love. If you’re always holding them closer, they will cling to you for fear. ~Polly Berrien Berends

Linking up with Life Through the Lens, Texture Tuesday and Texture Twist.