The Power of a Smile

Books and articles about good parenting have been published by the tens of thousands over the last many decades swinging a pendulum about every ten years to and fro with the extremes of raising happy, healthy children through perfect parenting.  So why are we, as a country, no closer to bringing up our kids without drug, alcohol, behavior, academic, and social problems?  

            Because there is no such thing as perfect children…or parents.

            We can only teach our children to the best of our abilities as we go along with the knowledge and experience we gained when we were children ourselves.  I believe that, as parents, we have a responsibility through continuous education about how to be the best we can be in the lives of our children. It’s so much easier said than done, I know.

            Time is a major factor in this day and age. There simply isn’t enough of it to go around it seems. With only having so many hours in a day, parents must decide their priorities while most moms and dads both work to meet their financial obligations at the same time. It’s become a scary world to live in with the downward spiraling economy causing families to cut back and putting in extra hours for that paycheck each week.

            One might be surprised how little time it can take to stop and pay attention to what’s going on within the family unit. A smile here and a hug there take but a few seconds but becomes a precious moment that children are unlikely to forget in that tiny window of time as the ritual continues year after year. The power of a smile is not to be taken for granted. It’s a mighty tool that can keep a kid on track, showing that he/she is worthy of your attention, acceptance, and affection, which is what they strive for. The results are more lasting than you may think.       

            Small children are not that complicated. A bit of time in a tickle fest laughing together, building a moment of true love and validation, can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one for a child.

            Give it a try. Parents also need validation that we’re doing the best job we can. There’s nothing like gazing upon a son or daughter’s reaction after a few short minutes of undivided attention and fun to do just that.

             It’s most often the littlest things that really count the most.