Are We Raising Confident Children?
I
I love flowers; I love children and
I am always surrounded by both.
It is the flowers that usually attract
us to the plants. They beautify and
enliven any space even if it is a
lone flower. Like flowers, children
brighten and enliven homes,
churches, schools, parties, the
grocery stores and just about any
place they happen to be. Many
parents get noticed because of
their children. Oh yes! Has that
ever happened to you?
Flowers
care
need
intentional
For flowers to maintain their
beauty and radiance, they
must be intentionally cared for.
I am thinking of flowers cut to
furnish a vase, to be used as a
centerpiece. One would need to
provide a container with water
in which to place the flower. This
water is not everlasting. It will
require attention; it will need to be
changed at intervals to prevent
it from becoming the breeding
site for mosquitoes and other
creatures that will enjoy such a
habitat. It is also wise to remove
wilted, dead petals and leaves to
prevent the flowers’ radiance and
attractiveness from diminishing.
Similarly, we therefore will need
to pay keen attention to the
environment in which children
are placed and carefully monitor
the culture which can become
polluted like the water, in the vase,
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if not checked at intervals. From
time to time, there will be signs
of wilting and even deadness as
it relates to activities, likes and
dislikes which can change like the
weather.
Raising Confident Children
Like flowers, children have names,
specific paths and special
identifiable features. Confidence,
a pivotal character building
material, can be inculcated in
children when efforts are made
to relentlessly help them know
who they are. Identity is the life
sustaining tenet that will fuel
the sparks of confidence that
are achieved step by step. Self-
discovery turns out to be a very
complicated quest and should not
be left to time. Deliberate efforts
are required to help children know
who they are. An understanding
of who they are will pave the way
for what they will become in terms
of passion, career path and their
involvement in activities.
When parents spend the time to
discover who the children are
that they are raising, they will be
empowered to pour the water
in to allow the children’s ‘stems’
to absorb the same and give
radiance to their blooms. Yes,
knowledge breeds confidence.
Knowledge of who you are will
empower you to act, think and
develop your authenticity.
April - June 2018