Did you know that for every negative comment you make to a child you need to tell them ten positive things? You cannot erase the harsh words, shaming, and belittling. But you can start a fresh path with words full of love, encouragement, and empowerment. I wish that everyone kept this in mind while interacting with children. This goes for any child, not just yours. They are all sensitive beings who need to be told how wonderful they are, how intelligent they are, and how beautiful they are.
Why, you ask? Because eventually they grow up. Eventually we force their inner child to hush it’s young joy + excitement. Eventually we throw them into an adult world that is fast, competitive, judgmental, and quite scary. And eventually, they are you. Walking around with the insecurities that the adults who influenced them the most instilled without even knowing it.
I’ve always loved kids + my career just so happens to allow me to work with them on a daily basis. My younger students always amaze me. They are quick, curious + eager to learn. And they are often all those things combined with some insecurities, self-doubt, confusion, and stress from societies pressures. There are days where I get a call from a student that is sobbing about not doing well on a test, letting down their parents, or failing a course. Finding the balance between being an adult they must discuss their education with + a person they can trust is hard sometimes.
All I know is that there is no black and white with kids, and if we start to focus on that then maybe we wont have so many damaged adults. Be their listener, cheerleader, link to success, and outlet. Be the person that tells them when it’s time to get up + get busy making their dreams turn to reality. But don’t be their source of negativity + self doubt, because that simply does not go away. Let them be eclectic, passionate about things you don’t understand, and slightly silly. Kids + their ideas about life deserve respect as well. We must shape the future generations, and it starts with the way that we speak to them. It starts with you.
Commander In Chic 