We live in a complicated world.
There’s tragedy striking by the second across the globe, sometimes closer to home than we could ever have imagined — with natural disasters, war, mass shootings, cancer, terrifying accidents, suicide, and more.
There’s Good with the Bad
On the other hand, there’s billions of people making a difference with the very gifts God gave them. Taking care of loved ones, caring for strangers like they’re family, developing technologies that better our world, sharing their faith, brainstorming up necessary businesses, equipping our youth with the skills they need to make a difference in their adulthood, and so much more.
But even with all the good, it can feel overwhelming to comprehend it all. To appreciate the positives while the negatives weigh heavy on our hearts.
Even more so, as a parent responsible for raising healthy, kind, resilient, and responsible children. Especially, since our kids are growing up in a world so different than the one we were raised in.
As a parent, it’s easy to worry. To wonder if I’m doing enough. To crave a sense of control in the situations happening around me.
But what I can’t lose sight of, are the things I do have control over when it comes to raising my child.
What I Can Do
I can teach her the difference between right and wrong.
Show her how to be kind, considerate, empathetic, and compassionate toward others.
I can help her develop a strong work ethic and awareness along with acceptance of her own strengths and weaknesses.
Help her set boundaries and allow her to fail, while providing loving support that doesn’t cross the line into enabling.
I can instill confidence in her to stick up for herself and share her opinions, without insulting others.
And most importantly, I can show her how incredibly loved she is. How beautiful and important she is. I can remind her that she is uniquely created by God to make an impact on this world in her own way.
And that this world just simply wouldn’t be the same without her.
Back to the Basics
As parents, we have a lot on our plate. When I’m feeling overwhelmed the state of the world, with societal expectations and pressures, I have to remember the basics. I have to remember what really matters.
And for me, that’s ensuring my child knows how deeply loved and important she is, just the way she is.
For more on parenting and mom life, see Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids.
