What do your kids know about themselves? Do they know they are loved, smart, and amazing? Or do they question their place in your heart? Do you say things like ” you are so clumsy or you’re always making a mess or why can’t you ever do anything right?”

Whether you understand or believe it your words hold a ton of power. If you are a parent who is fed up with your child, try changing what is said about them and to them. You will see a change in them. Don’t give up though when two nice things didn’t change them, keep at it. Your children are worth it. Their hearts are worth it. Keep at it even if it takes forever.

I get it, sometimes it feels like there is nothing nice to say so…..ya know…don’t say anything at all. This is where you, as the parent, need to be creative, if they finish all their dinner tell them “great job” If they get the dirty clothes near the hamper and not scattered around the room then complement them for doing better. Remember, your tone has a ton of power too. Be gentle. Be kind. Be forgiving. Be loving.

If you are hard on them you might find you are hard on yourself, speak life over yourself too.

I want my kids to have a safe place to fall when things get tough. Life is mean. People are mean. The world can be a mean place. If your kids do not feel loved and safe at home than they are always in survival mode and never able to heal and rest.

My twin, Melinda said something she heard a while back. Advice from a father about how he talks to his daughters. He wants to cover her in all the praises and complements so she knows she is cherished. When she is out in the world with people trying to get her attention she will already be so saturated with her daddy’s love that she won’t be so desperately needy of the world’s love. (My version of what she/he said 😉)

Do not send your child, your spouse, or yourself out there so dry and so desperate for soothing, healing words that they flock to whatever source provides that cool drink of water.

Start simple and tell them you love them. Apologies to them (to yourself) if you haven’t said it before. Today is a new day. You are worth it. . .