“Know what it is to be a child . . .
To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”
–William Blake
*name has been changed
I still remember her baby fine blonde hair that hung just above her shoulders. She had a freckle-dusted nose, Snow White skin, and a toothy smile. The way her hair was combed till it shined revealed that someone took great care in getting this little first grader ready for school each day.
Grace* was a beautiful, well-behaved child who, at first glance, appeared to be any teacher’s dream. But within ten minutes of the first day of school, I knew Grace would offer an extreme test of patience despite my previous experience in the most challenging special education classrooms.
As if pulled by some magnetic force, Grace physically gravitated toward me. If she was not sitting at her desk, she could be found directly under my nose looking up at me with a concerned expression.
Why the nearness? Why the concern? You may wonder.
Because Grace was a Persistent Question Asker. Whatever inquiry popped into her 6-year-old brain came out of her mouth—and the question was always addressed to me.
“Mrs. Stafford, where should we put our name on this paper?”
“Mrs. Stafford, how many minutes till lunch time?”
“Mrs. Stafford, do we need to wash our hands now?”
“Mrs. Stafford, is it time to get a drink?”
Sharpen our pencil?
Blow our nose?
Take a breath?
Okay, the last one question is an exaggeration, but honestly, the child’s incessant inquiries wore me out. I was not a mother yet, but in less than six months I would be welcoming my baby girl into the world. The patience and effort Grace required gave me cause for concern. Whenever my baby kicked during a lesson on pronouns or one-digit subtraction, I completely lost my train of thought. I couldn’t help but wonder if I had my very own Persistent Question Asker right there in my belly. It just couldn’t be.
After an especially tiring morning of intense interrogation, I pulled Grace aside at recess. We sat on a bench and I gently pointed out that she often asked questions that had already been answered or questions, if she thought about them for a moment, could be figured out on her own. I asked her to try something.
“Before you ask me a question, I want you to take one minute and think to yourself: ‘Do I know the answer to this question?’ And if the answer is no, ask yourself, ‘Can I figure it out myself without asking Mrs. Stafford?’”
I proceeded to describe some additional ways Grace could problem solve when she had a question, but I was not sure she heard a word. The look on Grace’s face was heartbreaking. The thought of answering her own questions caused panic to grip her face. But despite the initial shock, I noticed an immediate change in Grace’s behavior. Although her hand would often shoot up out of habit, she’d quickly pull it down and think. I noticed she looked to see what others were doing and then she’d begin her work. I saw her whispering to herself as she figured things out. I complimented Grace right away for the independence she was demonstrating.
As I was leaving school that day, I ran into a colleague. She asked me how my class was doing. My response was, “Well, now that my Persistent Questioner Asker seems to be under control, I think things will go better.”
That’s when the veteran teacher looked me directly in the eyes and said something I have yet to forget. With a mixture of understanding and authority, she leaned in close and said: “Just remember, every little person in that room is somebody’s child.”
Somebody’s child
I thought about my colleague’s words all weekend and was anxious to see Grace and her 100-watt smile on Monday. When she arrived, I met Grace’s cheerful gaze a little longer and gave her a wide smile. Like the lyrics to an old 50’s song, I kept hearing, “She’s somebody’s baby … somebody’s baby,” over and over. For the first time, I saw Grace as someone’s most beloved gift who, for whatever reason, needed extra assurances. Extra hugs. Extra smiles.
And that slight but significant change in my perspective made a huge difference that resulted in:
a little more patience,
a little more kindness,
a little more compassion,
a little more tolerance
For Grace.
And that was a very good thing. Although Grace’s questioning habit continued to decrease, she still found reasons to be underfoot. If I dropped the chalk, it was Grace who practically dove across her desk to retrieve it. Grace wiped the chalkboard when I ran out of room to write and organized the top of my desk daily. Basically, she was my personal assistant. Grace did all the grunt work so that never once did I have to bend over or exert myself in my pregnant state.
Grace was a gift to my growing belly. One day when she sprinted across the room to grab a fallen paper. I heard myself say, “What would I do without you, Grace?”
She was unable to suppress her smile as she walked back to her desk practically walking on air.
At spring conferences, Grace’s parents joined me at the little round table. Before I could speak, her mother said, “Thank you for loving our Grace. She talks about you all the time. She loves you and Baby Natalie growing in your tummy. We know she can be … well, a little needy, so thank you for loving her.”
Grace was somebody’s baby. I saw it so clearly in that moment. Despite her challenges, her parents loved her. They loved her because that’s what parents do.
I told Grace’s parents that their daughter was a gift to my growing belly, but it was not until recently that I realized the full extent of that gift. Now ten years later, I see the impact of Grace’s presence in my life.
When my child is walking too slowly, I am reminded that my child’s legs can't go as fast as mine.
And just because my life is dictated by the pace of an adult world, doesn’t mean my child’s should.
When my child takes her sweet time deciding which outfit to wear or what snack to have, I am reminded that children need time to select among an array of choices.
And just because I have learned to be decisive and often ignore the luxury of contemplation, doesn’t mean my child should.
When I want to sigh exasperatedly when she pours the milk too quickly and it overflows from her cereal bowl, I am reminded that accuracy comes with practice.
And just because I get irritated with myself when I make mistakes doesn’t mean my child should be subjected to the same unreasonable standards.
When she searches high and low for her misplaced shoes,
When she can't seem to focus on homework,
When she acts silly in serious situations,
When I find myself expecting perfection, speed, accuracy and maturity from my child,
I think of Grace.
And then I look at my child who won’t be little forever, and I say to myself:
She’s somebody's child.
She’s not yet an adult.
She has a lot to learn.
Let me give her the patience and freedom to grow and become independent.
Let me remember that small offerings of love and acceptance are the best gifts I can give.
Let me remember she values my opinion of her: what I say and how I treat her matter.
Let me speak words of kindness for she will begin to repeat these words to herself.
Let me love her without conditions, without restraint.
Let me love her for who she is.
She is somebody's child.
She is my child.
She is my gift—my everyday miracle.
Let me treat her as such.
*************************************
Does seeing a child as a true child rather than a small adult change your perspective? Does it make you more compassionate? More patient? What struggles or successes can you share? Thank you for being a part of The Hands Free Revolution—a supportive community of people striving to let go of distraction to grasp what really matters! Thank you all so much for the kind words about the design of my new site last week & for your continued support & interest in my upcoming book. I am truly, truly grateful!
*An additional resource:
Many readers often email me asking for specific actions they can take to connect in simple, meaningful ways with their children. I am currently reading the book “What Your Child Needs From You” by Dr. Justin Coulson and am gaining so much from the wisdom and experience Justin provides. Justin is truly passionate about sharing the science, the skills, and the heart that connect and strengthen families. Check out his book and his blog, Happy Families!
Beautiful!
If I could, however, I’d point one more thing out: EVERY ADULT is someone’s child. And maybe we have to learn how to see EVERYONE as kindly as we (try to) see children. Because inside each and everyone of us there is a child yearning for love, attention, acceptance. No matter how tough an adult seems to be, I have found out that it’s little more than a façade.
And we all know that adults can throw tantrums better than 3-year-olds. They (we) just do it differently.
To accept the child within is maybe one of the most important steps to healing our lives.
Other than that, I do believe that by giving Grace the power to problem-solve on her own was probably one of the best gifts you could give her self-esteem. By telling her that she probably knew the answers (more often than not), you believed in her potential, you believed in her intelligence, you believed in HER. That probably was what she needed to believe in herself.
And, at the same time, you told her that you’d be there whenever she needed an answer she couldn’t find for herself.
Now, if that isn’t a perfect example of unconditional love, I don’t know what is.
Really… More than math, THIS is what they should teach children in schools and at home.
Oh, Virginia, I am so thankful you chose to share your thoughts and expand so beautifully on my story! What you said here is so powerful: “EVERY ADULT is someone’s child. And maybe we have to learn how to see EVERYONE as kindly as we (try to) see children. Because inside each and everyone of us there is a child yearning for love, attention, acceptance.” SO TRUE! And thank you for the kind words about what I gave Grace. You have touched my heart this morning.
I’m the one who is forever grateful that you took the time, the energy, the courage to open your life and your learning processes with the world.
I am sure I’m becoming a better person (and future parent, if God allows) because of the lessons in your blog.
I was just thinking this too.
It’s actually something most quality therapists use as a way to help “grow” the individual is to know that the child inside of us (me, as the case may be), is in some way feeling neglected, unseen or abandoned and when I’m struggling to take care of myself, it’s because I never learned how to take care of my little self when I was a kid.
HUGE lessons in just that!
I really hope more people get what is being said here, because it’s a life-changer 🙂
Thank you, Rachel! Great reminder to care for the kid in us all!
~A
Yes, thank you for saying this. When I posted the link to this blog on my Facebook page, I implored my friends to see EVERYONE as someone’s child – the homeless person, the forgotten, the mentally ill, the elderly – they are (or were) all someone’s child. Someone loved them, had hopes and dreams for them, and wants the best for them. That perspective has made me a more compassionate person, for certain. Thank you for writing this entire post.
I love this! It’s hugely challenging.
I think the only way we learn grace is when we encounter people who are different to us – whether that is due to age, physical limitations, emotional responses. Grace is loving others unconditionally, despite when they do things that go against the grain of our selfish expectations.
God’s grace is infinitely patient, utterly selfless and tenderly loving. Your challenge to us to parent our kids and teach other people’s kids through grace is huge but incredible. I pray for God’s help as I think about this fabulous post. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Beautifully stated, Mel. Thank you so much for taking time to share your eloquent insights.
My “Grace” is male and now 26 years old. He still needs reassurance unlike anyone I know. I wanted to say what Virginia said, but she said it so beautifully. Adults, too. Adults, too. Please.
Thank you for this. Today, at this exact moment, I needed reminding of this. My 7 y/o needs me a lot at the moment and whilst it can be frustrating she needs me because I make her feel safest and best. Only me and that is about the biggest compliment she can give me – she deserves the same degree of devotion in return.
I needed this today, too. My 7 year old, Grace (true story), is very needy and can only be soothed by me. Any time we’re apart, she misses me — what a compliment from my sweet girl! “Am I going to be fine?” is her oft-repeated question these days. All I need to do is say, “yes” and she is fine. Sometimes I find this exhausting. I’m so thankful for your encouragement. Grace and her sister, Hope, were answered prayer for me. How could I treat them any different than as children of God? Bless you!
What a beautiful reminder that we as parents are our little one’s teachers. Great perspective shift!!
Wow, wow, wow… so often you have posted something that was EXACTLY what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it, and so often your thoughts and stories have helped me see things in a different light and gain perspective on a difficult situation. This is the first time I’ve been so compelled as to leave a comment – as I had another in a string of terrible mornings with my own 5-yr-old Persistent Question Asker, and my frustration level is so high, and my patience level so low, and I find myself asking “what is wrong with HER? what is wrong with ME?”… and here this was, like a little message just for me – to help me step back, and take a deep breath, and refocus… Thank you for continuing to share!
Lauren, this means so much to me. I have wanted to share “Grace’s” wisdom for over a year now, but I couldn’t find the words until recently. The other day, they just flowed. I am touched to know the timing was perfect for you and your precious Question Asker. There is hope. I am grateful to share this journey with you.
Wow, this really hits home for me. I have a persistent question asker myself. I love the way you guided Grace. I try to be patient with my son but sometimes my exasperation shows through after the 100th rapid-fire question! On a good day I can put it into perspective – this is his way of learning and navigating through the world. I try also to remember that his questioning (why? how? what does this mean?) will help him in life, as those types of questions will help him think critically and problem-solve on his own one day. I wish I could say I always have this perspective but I don’t, so thank you for the reminder. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog – it has helped me slow down and appreciate my little guy and his wondering ways more. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that. 🙂
I thank God for my beautiful son like Grace.
Me too.
Rachel, this sentence brought tears to my eyes: “And just because I have learned to be decisive and often ignore the luxury of contemplation, doesn’t mean my child should.” Yes, “the luxury of contemplation” is where the road you so freely and gracefully have shown so many of us leads.
Sometimes, as I watch my beautiful sons decide on a a fruit for breakfast or a book to read before bed, I stand in awe at how important they make what seems to me an unimportant, trivial even, decision. Once, one of them – the outlandish, boisterous, happy one – couldn’t decide between an apple and a pear. In frustration I said: “Nick, it doesn’t really matter!”
A voice whispered back, “It does to me, Dad.”
I sat on a kitchen stool and watched his precious face decide. And you Rachel, you, planted those seeds of patience and awe in me and I will be forever grateful.
As always, thank you for your words, but, most importantly, thank you for your actions. If you ever wonder if your journey to joy matters just remember.
“It does to me.”
{tears] Thank you for throwing me a lifeline today. An exquisite, hopeful, and affirming lifeline that came right when I needed it. “It does to me” are 4 words going up on my wall of lifelines to fuel me. I am so grateful for your friendship & support.
PS I love the way you called this a “journey to joy.” So fitting, so perfect.
I am sitting at the kitchen table reading this and crying. I just dropped of my “Grace” at school a short time ago. This was one of our worst mornings in a while – yelling, time outs, and words were said that can never be taken back. I hate having mornings like this because of the guilt after the fact. I have to remember that she’ll only be little once and cherish every minute – even the bad ones. We don’t get any do overs. She is somebody’s child – she is my child and no one can love her like I do. Now I need to show her that. I’m new to the hand free, no yelling parenting idea so every entry I have read lately has hit me like a rock. I wish I would have chosen this journey earlier in her childhood but at 5 and a half, I realize it isn’t too late to start. Thank you for the wisdom and the tears that I am typing through. I am realizing the kind of parent I want to be and that my “Grace” and her little brother deserve.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for your courage to share. I can assure you, you are not alone in the feelings you describe. I believe awareness is everything and by taking what we learn and using it to make new choices, we get closer to the person we want to be. I am grateful to share this journey with you. So glad you are here.
thank you for this. i am in tears and we all need to be reminded of this. we homeschool our 3 children and there are plenty of times i am rushing or getting frustrated over repeating directions for the umpteenth time. even with my own children i need these reminders. thank you again.
I love this. These gifts, these blessings… to see how they’ve been planted and nurtured and raised into concepts and acts of love is powerful stuff.
I’ve been thinking about this idea (somebody’s child) for a long time, but struggle with implementation. Thanks for this.
I so enjoyed this! I get so frustrated with my eldest who just started kindergarten, but when I step back and look at the big picture, I am happy that she has the confidence to challenge me every day.
On a related note, there is a child in her class that has a behavior issue, and she always has a full report for me when she gets home from school. “well he got in trouble AGAIN today.” “He couldn’t play at recess AGAIN because he wasn’t listening”. “He wouldn’t sit still in circle time so he had to go sit at a table”. I really feel for this little boy because I know it’s just him trying to get some attention and my daughter has started telling him off as well because she sits by him. I have explained to my daughter that she needs to not get so frustrated with him, that he is just looking for someone to pay attention to him. I also told her that some compassion and a positive spin just might help him out instead of him being scolded. Instead of my daughter telling him in a scolding tone, she needs to tell him “I think you should sit down and listen because I really don’t want you to get in trouble”. Or praise him when he is being good because he probably doesn’t get to hear a lot of that.
Thank you for your wonderful stories. They never fail to bring a tear to my eye and force me to look in the mirror. You have changed my life, so much. I can’t wait for your book! I already pre-ordered it.
I am in awe! I am 68 years old & still learning, such a blessing. I didn’t resolve to ‘break the cycle’ until my 3 children were in their teens. It wasn’t too late. They have each grown into such caring, giving parents. I have been doubly blessed in that I was given the opportunity to help raise 3 of my grandchildren & now, my great-granddaughter. I always view this as a privilege….how many of us get a second chance? You are truly my inspiration & I don’t miss a single one of your amazing blogs. I am constantly reminded what a blessing these little lives are to me & what a blessings I can be to them. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your constant encouragement!
Thank you for the HOPE you have offered us all, Jan! Many readers write to me and ask if it is too late. I have always believed each day, each moment is a chance to start again–and now I will tell them your uplifting story!
I love reading your writings! Thank you for your eloquent words.
What a lovely post! It’s perfectly timed for me, as today is Report Card pick up day in Chicago. It was a reminder for me as I chat with parents today about their children. I teach K – 8 French in Chicago Public Schools. It is so important to remember that “every little person in that room is somebody’s child.” I have a physical reminder in my c lassroom that I look at every time I sit at my computer. I have a picture of myself in first grade. See, first grade is my challenging level, for the same reason you stated above. The picture of myself is serves as a reminder that I too was 6/7 once.
Thank you for your post.
Rachel, thank you so much for this post. I have an almost 3 year old PQA. She’s also very particular about making decisions and wanting things to be “just so.” I have found that one thing that has helped me was a suggestion by one of the teachers at her Montessori school. The suggestion was to offer her more independence at home. One day we decided to let her have her own “water station” (a small pitcher we keep filled with water and a cup next to it, at her height, so she can help herself whenever she wants). When I showed this to her, I saw a look on her face I have never seen before. It was a mixture of joy and seriousness. They have a water station at school, so she already knew that it offered her both freedom and increased responsibility. She has respected that freedom and responsibility by very carefully pouring the water every time she wants some.
I think that I had underestimated her. She will always be a PQA (which, when I can steer clear of my own frustration, I can see as a very positive trait), but when she has the tools to help herself or a job to do, the seemingly endless string of questions and struggles over decisions are broken up by moments when she is doing things for herself. And in these moments, I see her smile full of happiness and self-confidence. I don’t want to change her or stop her from asking lots of questions, but this has helped us achieve a better balance.
Like so many parents I struggle with down-shifting my own pace to hers, and in those moments I am so grateful for your ideas and suggestions. I keep them in my pocket and reach for them in stressful moments. So thank you again, and please keep sharing!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder and thank you to everyone who commented and added even more wisdom! I am an adult who could use so encouraging words, and I try to remember there are lots of out there, doing the best we can, who could all use a little kindness from one another. In fact my tag line after my name in my emails is, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle” -Philo of Alexandria
Love your blog and what it stands for! Looking forward to your book as well.
Thank you, everyone has expressed what I feel so well, there is little left to say. I don’t know how I found you, but you are my blessing from God. I am sure he got tired of my being a “Grace” and put you in my path to calm my fears and worries of trying to “do the right thing” for a Grandchild placed in my life. How’d you get so smart?
Thank you for this message today! A reminder that I need each morning when I wake to help my one unique child, age 14 that truly views his world unlike anyone else, and I am exremely grateful and blessed to have him. It doesn’t stop there of course with my ever independent 17 year old and very persistent and confident 4 year old. Not only does it affect my own home but that of my profession as well. This message is also a powerful reminder for the work I do each and every day working with foster children and families. It’s an even greater message for our foster families that care, love and shelter children not able to live with their own biological families. I had a foster mom once say to me that fostering children is the ultimate selfless act, when you agree to care for someone else’s child.
Thank you for your much needed reminder that the little people in my care each day are precious and deserving of my patience.
So, so, SOOOOO what I needed to read at this VERY moment. Thank you 🙂
I have been a reader for a few months now and have to say how much I enjoy reading them. I loved his post both as a teacher and as a mom. Seems like the current school culture is lacking this one simple fact: that all these kids are somebody’s child and not only new to be treated as such but also treated as individual s. keep doing what you are doing!
Thank you for writing this post. I have tears in my eyes, you see I was Grace as a child, forever asking questions, wanting to help and talking, some teachers handling this well, most found it challenging and a few really disliked me. My mum also found me a challenge, being more of an introvert herself, we have a lovely relationship now but I have many memories of being considered a ‘nuisance’ by many adults. In the years when I had a teacher that was patient, I blossomed and was top of the class, other years I was always on detention.
Now I am all grown up, and I have my own Grace, she started kindergarten this year, and it really pains me to say it; but I have been finding her really hard………. just as you described, always underfoot, easily distracted, so very slow, constantly asking questions (many times knowing the answer already)………………….and I have not been my best. I have not been my most patient. She is also my noticer, the only one in the family who notices if I have had a haircut, or a new skirt. The one who wants to help the most, the one who needs the most reassurance. I think I have been trying to parent her the same as my other two children but it just does not fit, she often just needs more….
Thank you again for this timely reminder that she is someone’s child, my child, my lovely unique questioning, noticing, needing child, and I am grateful.
My “Grace” is a beautiful, inquisitive, learning disabled nine year old daughter. It is funny to me that this blog post came to me at this time. In the last few days I have challenged myself, my family, and others in my life to put others first. Do something, even something small, for the other people you come into contact with in your daily life. As I thought about making this challenge to my children who are 3, 6, 9 & 15 I realized that my “grace”, Claire, would excell at this challenge. In a day when I get exasperated with her fake, anxious, nervous laugh or explaining homework for the 400th time I realized that Claire will do this better than any of the rest of us. Yes, there are many things that Claire can not do like her peers, but Claire always always puts others first. So today I am going to be more like Claire. She is a great role model for me. Thanks for reminding me that we all can learn something from the people around us, even the ones we are teaching.
Thank you for your post and for the comments of your followers as well. This weekend my brother-in-law showed me that he doesn’t understand that my nephews are so little. He was downright mean to my 2-year old nephew. I was spitting mad at him. Your post is helping me remember that learning is a life long process and while I may have learned this lesson, he has not. Seeing my nephews as children in some ways helps me have more patience, but I never want to forget that they are people first. I firmly hold the belief that all people deserve respect. What this looks like for a 2-year old is different than my colleagues at work, but it is still respect.
I Love this because I have my own children, because I teach children and because we are all someone’s child! When my father was aging in a nursing home, I often wanted to send this message to nurses, aides and anyone who came in contact with him. He is someone’s father, Papaw, son, brother and husband. Thank you Rachel for touching my heart so many times by sharing your journey. It makes a difference to so many, including me!
Please look with compassion at those you meet throughout the day, no matter your line of work. Remembering that this is someone’s loved one can make all the difference on the impact you can have on others. In fact, when you take this stance the life being changed may just be your own!
Thank you, Holly. We just visited a nursing home a few weeks ago and your words are so true. One resident was severely handicapped. It didn’t even appear at first she knew we were there. I stepped toward her bed and began talking to her about the decorations in her room. Her eyes shifted toward me. I told the children, “She is listening and it is making her happy.” My girls also stepped forward and began speaking to her in loving tones. The resident’s eyes flittered about. I thought, how often do we walk by people thinking they don’t need or cannot accept love? I really loved your comment and how you applied this lesson to ALL people. Thank you!
When I see my daughter and treat her with tenderness….I also do remember at times that my wife is also “her parents” babe…… One needs to respect that…. Jacob
Thank you for that important note, Jacob.
I love this post so much. My daughter was always someone’s “Grace” and we had teachers who loved her and teachers who didn’t have quite that much patience. Thank goodness for the people who have loved her because she loves them fiercely back and she has always had a place to be herself because of them.
Wow Rachel, thank you for a very moving story. What a gem little Grace is. My just-turned-5-year-old daughter is a very determind, independant, single-minded, PQA with a creative streak a mile wide. Do you think she can move quickly at any time? Or focus on what you are saying to her when she is drawing her 8th picture for the day at 10am? Holy moley, she’s a challenge but she’s my baby and she’s going off to Prep next year (before Grade 1) and I hope her teacher remembers to treat her with patience, kindness and grace.
Thank you again, for yet another heartfelt reminder that time is fleeting and every word counts.
Rachel,
Thank you for spreading the message and thanks to all your readers who point out all the other possibilities for application. My mother always said that when we throw a stone into a brook, we never know how far the ripples will spread. Your loving words just keep spreading and spreading. Thank you, thank you for changing the world–one ripple at a time.
This is a beautiful post…it made me tear up when her parents said “Thank you for loving our Grace.” So so sweet. I know that despite the fact that I ask a million questions to my husband (and he totally gets annoyed), I’m a very impatient person. I hope that I can have your patience and understanding when I have my own child that pesters me with questions 🙂
Hi Rachel, Keep blogging because you have gifts of observation & articulation that really cause us to stop, think & change. I spend a great deal of time with high school students. One of my own sayings is “It’s easy to be with those who are easy to be with.” It is our responsibility to love the challenging kids because they really need us. Like Grace. Too many adults get involved in activities for youth but gravitate only to the cool kids. We do not have the option of picking and choosing because all kids deserve our attention, time, care & love. Just my 2 cents. Murphy.
Thank you, Murphy, for both the kind words about my writing and for the important point you raise about loving those who are not easy to love. You are so right about challenging kids needing one “safe haven” adult. Research shows just one encouraging adult in a child’s life can make a life-changing difference. Thanks for being a part of this community.
Very touching – thank you for sharing.
Thanks for this important reminder as parent conferences start at my school tomorrow. I definitely approach them differently as a parent than before, but I can get irritated, too.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful lesson. Truly. I desperately needed it this morning as my patience was at an all time low and my frustration on the high side. My prayer is that her teacher is more patient than I was this morning. Most days, my easy kid hops out of the car and after a kiss, darts in the door to school without a glance back. Today, she turned back with a sweet, final wave. I’m guessing it was to say, “You’ll be ok Mama.” Me, not her.
Hi Rachel,
Beautifully expressed and a wonderful message which goes to the heart of showing respect for children. I work in a child and adolescent mental health service. The most important question I ask myself when reflecting on how I work with families is “Would this be good enough for my child?”. This makes me try that little bit harder, be that little bit more compassionate and remain mindful of the hope and trust that parents place in me to do the best for their child. Thanks
Thank you so much for what you do. I recently found your page of face book through another friends “share”. I love the encouragement and reflection that you provided. I work full time outside of the house and have 2 beautiful children. Sometimes after a long day of constant demands and rush it is hard to remember to slow down and let go when we get home. Sometimes it is hard to even find the remaining energy that we have to make the evening with our kids count. Your words feed my soul and help keep me centered in what really matters. You are truly a blessing and I thank you for sharing.
Hi! I found your site and have recommended it to many friends and teachers since. Just wanted to let you know that every time I read your words, I am personally convicted, inspired, and brought to tears. Thank you for what you do! I have to think you are inspired on a spiritual level. You have blessed me….thank you again!
Thank you, M.S. I appreciate the support so much. My messages are divinely placed on my heart. I am honored & blessed to be the messenger!
My Grace is 54 years old –he is misunderstood by most including family–having read your beautiful words do wish had seen them before .Have always maintained that we are all human beings (someone’s child ) and treated with respect & loved & left with dignity intact . Has always been a challenge (have five children ) and now at age 77 really appreciating your words of wisdom and love and will pass them on .may help others along the way. Thank you — May not be good at expressing myself but here goes .