SHARE Magazine April 2018 | Page 9

Flowers are like children Defined By Name Identity and definition for some is easily discovered as the code lies in the names. For others, it is more complicated. What are the meanings of the names you have given to your children? Do you have a Word from the Lord? Have you taken time to ask God for guidance? Children are His heritage. Defined by Nature Children who are fortunate to be planted in naturally supportive environment tend to be more confident. Therefore, confidence in children can be developed when the support systems into which they are exposed regard them, appreciate their person and cater to their individuality. That is, conscious efforts are required to plan for, guide, educate, provide stimulation and opportunities for children to evolve regardless of how different they are from you or anyone else. Genuine support and celebration of who they are will cement confidence in children. Let them be… Children, like flowers, are built to bloom. They will bloom! Depending on the environment, some will bloom sooner than later, however, they all will bloom. When children are in their bloom, many may not be able to handle the fragrance; the attention and even the beauty. Adults, caregivers and policy-makers can be limited and find it challenging to dedicate the time to research, to pray, the time to listen and the energy necessary to support the bloom. Learn the Art of Coaching Superstars and influential people receive coaching which propels them to higher dimensions. Coaching helps to improve performance, skills, gifts, character, ideas, creativity and just about anything you can imagine. Since coaching is relational, it has the potential to stimulate the development of confidence as other traits are learnt. Coaches are there regardless of the outcome or result. More effort is placed on the process than the result. This knowledge removes or causes the dwindling of trepidation and gives rise to confidence in children. Become An Conversations Expert at Children have a lot to say. Becoming an expert at conversations will require that you make every effort to educate yourself in the areas that are of interest to them. Equip yourself as well to deal with their challenges. This way you can connect when you converse and they will know that you are interested in what they are passionate about. Passion improves confidence. I have heard it said that if you talk to plants they will flourish. The same is true about children. Talk deeply with them. Make it an agenda item daily and see how they flourish. So much goes on daily that if it was up to us we would scarcely breathe. It may seem overwhelming and you wonder if you could take up the task of raising confident children. It is possible. You might not need to do more than you are already doing. Probably, you need to be intentional about what you are doing. It could also mean that just small tweaks are needed to achieve the desired result. Please, let us do this. Confident children are needed worldwide. p By Natasha Francis Campbell Educator, Psalmist, Author, Life Coach, Literacy Expert, Wife, Mother and Servant April - June 2018 SHARE | MAGAZINE | 9