Many of you know that I write a parenting column and have been writing about abuse issues lately. I have been receiving many angry comments on those articles from parents who believe that the only way to raise good children is to use violence to “train” them.
But this post is not about them. This post is about you.
It has been hard during the past couple of weeks to deal with all of this nastiness — to read the heartbreaking advice of the Pearls, to get the hateful comments, to imagine the lives of the children being raised this way.
What has helped me again and again is to focus on you, and I wanted to thank you.
- For wanting to raise not just good children, but happy ones.
- For teaching with your words and your example.
- For knowing that parenthood means sometimes having messy houses and noisy kids.
- For being human and trying again when you’re less than perfect (and we all are!).
- For cherishing childhood and imagination.
- For doing crafts.
- For playing make believe.
- For giving hugs, advice and second chances.
- For letting kids be kids.
- For having houses full of laughter and love.
- For having empathy and kindness.
- For bringing more goodness into the world.
I am so uplifted by all of the fabulous mothers and fathers I’ve met through this blog, on the net and in my life.
I love the way you love your children. I love your spirits. I love reading your comments and knowing that you’re raising a generation of children who feel loved and happy and want to make the world a brighter place.
Thank you. 🙂
Thank you for speaking up for children and for being an inspiring blogger. 🙂
You blog is always inspirational and a good reminder to love our kids. We need more bloggers like you! Keep up the good work and fight the good fight!
You’re pretty awesome yourself babe! ;D
As a mother with five children, I have really enjoyed using your wonderful and fun activities in my home. Being from South Dakota, I especially appreciate all your advice on snow. 🙂 I just read your blog on this issue and I am fighting back the tears. As a survivor of childhood abuse it breaks my heart that any parent would follow such heartless direction. Thank you so much for speaking out, and taking the courage that God has given you.
No, thank you 🙂
Thank you so much for doing all that you do! You’re so very inspiring…
Thank you so much for this fabulous blog! Sometimes, as a mom, it is so easy to let life get in the way. It is all too easy to forget to have fun with my kids. I check in every morning for inspiration and ideas. We have had so much fun doing the different crafts and using our imaginations. Thanks for reminding me to let my kids be kids and to have fun!
I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for being such an inspiration and speaking out against abuse. Firstly I wasn’t a very good mother. I used to put my daughter in front of the TV and sulk the whole day. Now I actually give lots of attention to arts and crafts and fun! And she’s really improved A LOT.
Secondly I don’t believe in time-out because it simply doesn’t work for my daughter(2 years old) Normally I talk to her 3 times and if she doesn’t listen she gets a little smack on het bum(she doesn’t even cry) The only time I smack her a bit harder is when it’s REALLY dangerous(like playing with a plug).
But what those people are doing is so wrong. The Bible teaches about unconditional love, respect and forgiveness… Not beating your child into submission..
If anyone desreves those thanks you do: Thank You, thankyou for being an inspiration, thankyou for showing, in a world full of terrifying news reports, schools trapped by educational targets and books pushing horrendously structured parenting, that the world can be beautiful, that you don’t need to push your children to achieve, that a little chaos in childhood can be a beautiful thing.
Love your site!! You do (and are doing) such wonderful work, for families and children.
Thank You!