One of the most, if not the most, important lessons that I learned as a mom is the importance of our actions around our kids. I’m sure you have heard this many times, but kids are sponges! What you say to them does not matter as much as what they see. I do not say this to somehow dismiss what we say to our kiddos, of course, that matters too! Here I am specifically talking about our actions and how they influence our children, sometimes more than words. 

Many years ago, as a young mom, I still had some growing up to do, not to mention healing. Though I had been told by family and friends; who tend to constantly offer parenting advice, that kids are sponges, I did not fully understand it until years later. I thought, ok sure, yes, I know I must be careful what I teach him. That is not at all what they had in mind.

My eldest will soon be 21 years old and seeing the young man he has become and how he carries himself throughout the world has been a real source of joy and a real eye-opener. During our conversations about whatever piece of his life he chooses to share, I often ask about his thought process. Why did you choose that piece of advice to give to your friend? How come you and your friends chose that weekend activity instead of the other one?

 His answers immediately catapult me to the past whether I like it or not. Each time he comments on a specific event remembering what I did, how I reacted, and the very vivid and specific choices I made. I mean, geez, why do I need a diary, this kid remembers things I did that I don’t even remember. “Well, when I was seven you went to a concert with a bunch of people you didn’t know well” I am not saying he remembers bad choices although this example may be one. But I was a young mom, so they were not necessarily mature choices, and they were certainly not choices I thought he would remember. I am grateful he still comes to me, it gives me the opportunity to try and correct some of those moments, and say, “Well here’s what I would do now that I am a bit wiser”. 

Do you have any mom moments when you realized your kids were watching more than you would have wanted them to?

Comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

XO,

Diana