Maya Angelou
One of the greatest things we can do for our children, especially our daughters, is to inspire them to be themselves. We need to give them the tools they need so they can figure out what will bring “fire” to their eyes. To inspire confidence in their choices that we can see that “fire.” To BE so they are always smiling and flashing their teeth. To DO that which creates the “swing” in their waist and the “joy” in their feet.
To do this for my son and daughter, I must first feel these in myself.*
The greatest impact comes from what we model for our children. Consider the following:
- What type of parents are we?
- How do they see us behave as children to our parents?
- What do they see when we interact with siblings?
- How do we treat strangers?
- How do we spend our time?
- How do we spend our money?
- What do invest time and energy into?
- What is important to us?
- Do our actions align with our values for ourselves and our family?
In order to inspire and help our children to develop the confidence and zest for life that we wish for them, we have to first be willing to ask ourselves these hard questions. We also have to be willing to accept what we see and be willing to change what we reflect to them.
There is no question that they are learning and will continue to learn from us. What type of patterns do we teach them? What do we teach them about WHAT they should DO and WHO they should BE?
Join me as I consider these and other questions in the next several weeks.
*Maya Angelou captures this feeling well in her “Phenomenal Woman” poems.
Share your knowledge and experience with us.
How do you inspire your children or children you have contact with? What is the one thing you do that has the most impact on their confidence?
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I learned about modeling for children when I was a teacher. Children are such sponges, they pick up on everything! I tried to make a daily habit of modeling manners, relationships, teamwork, etc.
I had a very tough time with the girls. And, if I ever return to the classroom, I plan to create a girls empowerment group. In 4th grade, they were already the equivalent of “mean girls”. And, it was very tough especially when you as a teacher model one thing and then they have a different model at home.
But, this definitely serves as a reminder that children look up to us. I have a niece and nephew now, so this is going to be an ever present concept.
Thanks for the post!
Excellent points! I just love the idea of bettering ourselves to better our loved ones…the idea of “Do what I say, not what I do” is over (thanksfully) and it IS much harder to BE the person that I want my children to be FIRST.
Thanks so much for the post and I look forward hearing from you in coming weeks!