Celebrating CharacterSample

Most moms think their kids are extraordinary. At least that is what I think about my kids. Of course, I do not go around saying this to other people, but I am glad to think this way. It is a blessing. We want to champion our kids.

It is only normal that we want the whole world to see what we see. However, as our kids get older and fall short of the expectations we have—whether it be in behavior, intelligence, skills, or appearances—we can let our standards smother our kids. I think we moms have that beautiful picture in our mind's eye of all the wonderful things our kids can do, all the beauty they can bring to the world, all the possibilities.

Within your mother's heart lives a beautiful vision of your child's extraordinary potential - their unique gifts, the beauty they could bring to the world, the remarkable possibilities that stretch before them. This divine perspective reflects how God sees His children, delighting in who they are while holding hope for who they're becoming.

Yet when this beautiful vision transforms into idealistic standards that your child feels they cannot attain, something precious begins to fracture. The very love that should liberate starts to feel like a weight, and your child's heart - so desperate to please you - begins to close under the pressure of impossible expectations.

Most children would rather disappoint the world than disappoint their mother. This profound truth should both humble and guide you, recognizing that your approval carries weight beyond measure in your child's developing sense of self-worth.

Reflection Question: How can you communicate your belief in your child's potential and that they are completely accepted for who they are right now?