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Relationship Topics
Bless Your Children
Do your children feel your love? Many kids hurt because they sense that their parents don’t even like them.
- A struggling student watches his parents gloat about his sister’s straight A’s.
- A boy strikes out in a softball game and notices his father’s disappointment.
- An overweight daughter is told, “Stop snacking so much if you even care about your looks.”
This absence of parental approval, or family blessing, can lead to untold pain. Whereas children who feel their parents’ approval and love face the world with eagerness and confidence.
Make sure your child receives your blessing. To do so, observe these 5 steps:
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Offer meaningful touch. The act of touch is a key to communicating warmth and affirmation. It is even essential to physical health. Be generous with your hugs.
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Deliver good words. Hugs aren’t enough. Tell your kids how you feel about them! Children who are left to fill in the blanks often feel worthless and insecure. At best, only confusion can come from silence.
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Attach high value. Tell your children about the qualities you admire in them. One of the best ways to do this is to liken the person to a physical object (like calling your daughter a “pearl”). Learn how to use word pictures.
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Picture for them a bright future. Explain why you think their gifts and character traits will be useful throughout their lives. Avoid negative admonitions; inspire self-confidence.
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Make a commitment. Stand by your child through the years to help make your words of blessing become a reality. Don’t quit as soon as he or she fails.
All texts adapted from The Blessing (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986, Nashville) and The Blessing Workbook (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993, Nashville) by Gary Smalley and John Trent, Ph.D.
Do you have thoughts, questions, advice on this topic? Post your stories and comments in the forum for other parents to respond to. Enter the forum now.
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