What we don’t say affects our Children

There is a story in the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book; Who you are makes a Difference.

A teacher was doing a project “to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each student three ribbons imprinted with gold letters which read, ‘Who I Am Makes a Difference’”. They were to honor someone and give them the other ribbons. That person in turn was also to honor someone and pass the last ribbon to them so they could honor someone else.

An executive in town was honored and received a ribbon to honor someone important to him. While driving home he decided to give it to his son. When he sat down and told his son how much he meant to him. His son started to sob uncontrollability. When his son could speak, he said through his tears, “Dad, I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow because I didn’t think you loved me. Now I don’t need to.” 

This man  loved his son but he was too busy, tired, or worn out each day to take the time to tell him so. He expected his son to achieve much because he had achieved much. He probably thought his son knew that he loved him because he had provided a good home, food, and all the extras for him. But what our children need to know and hear from our lips, is that we really care.

What can you say to your children today:

Praise your children for their actions and their choices not just their abilities. If they have made bad choices, let them know that you’ve made bad choices also and that you are there for them. That is how we learn. But that it doesn’t affect how much you love them.

Helice “Sparky” Bridges, has turned this into a movement. Click Here to hear an example of a blue ribbon ceremony on The WIN.

Sparky’s goal is to inspire children to live their dreams. Our goal is to help you to inspire your children to be all that they can be.