Their "stuff" is a nightly affirmation I came up with shortly after seeing the movie "The Help" In the film Aibileen Clark, an African American maid and nanny, tells the young girl she's been looking after "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." So much of this movie was absolutely amazing, but this part really resonated with me. I wanted to make sure my children never had to hear from someone else how special they are. Now each night before they fall asleep I tell them "You are special, you are kind, you are brave, you are wise and I love you."
Now if I'm not putting them to bed or somehow I forget, they will remind me "You have to say my stuff." It makes them feel good and as a mother it's an opportunity for me to try and make up for anything I may have said out of stress or anger that day, but most importantly it's a time that I can speak life to my children.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21
Are my children always kind? The bruise above the middle sons eyebrow would indicate not. But when I speak to who they can be...who they will be, I am giving them the power to be who they are called to be.
My kids enjoy Super Why and at the end of each episode there is always a character getting themselves into trouble because what has been spoken of them in their story. Wyatt and the gang save the day by replacing the words that have been spoken over the characters with new words making a new story! I encourage you to rewrite the words that were spoken over your child through out the day.
Start a new tradition. Come up with your own "stuff". Let me know what affirmations you come up with for your little champions.
This is so awesome- wish I had known it 26 years ago... What an amazing gift to your children, words that they will carry their entire lives.
ReplyDeleteas usual Hammer you have inspired me yet again to take it to another level! .. We always pray over the kids each evening and I always give thanks to God for the same things in the beginning .. Lord Thank you! for Healthy, Beautiful, Intelligent Children, thank you for giving them a compassionate heart, and a character like yours, thank you for making them world changers .... & then the prayer proceeds randomly <--- these qualities do not always describe my children but I speak it anyway .. But after reading this I think I might start being more direct & tell THEM their STUFF
ReplyDeleteJust like Ps. Mike said yesterday they need to know that we think they measure up!
DeleteJulia, This is an awesome idea! Just last night Lindsay made a bad choice and we had to correct and discipline her. She gets her feelings hurt quite easily. So before she went to sleep I told her I love her and asked if she knew that, to which she replied 'Yes, I know." But then I told her she is an awesome chicky and that she is beautiful and asked if she knew that, to which she just shrugged like she wasn't so sure. It broke my heart that my 7 year old daughter could already think that she is not so awesome or beautiful. I made sure I told her all the reasons I thought she was awesome and beautiful (inside and out). The night affirmation is a great idea and I am stealing it! Keep up your blog! You are an amazing woman, wife, and mother!!!!
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