2010 Gingerbread House
Another Christmas Tradition; the Gingerbread House, it was completed Saturday at Oma & Opa’s house. While Mommy and Daddy did their traditional Christmas Shopping!
All the children get to help construct the little house and obviously add the frosting and candy. The kids look forward to it every year. They make sure to point out to me who did what, the windows, the doors, the roof etc… They are so proud of their little house and how they added their own personal touch to it, even though it is a group effort.
As the youngest of four kids I grew up telling my parents all about what I added to everything. I felt like if I didn’t say it “I” would go unnoticed. Some think it’s because I loved the attention, well of course I did who doesn’t love for their parents to praise them? I believe tooting my own horn was quieted a little as I aged but I always feel comfortable telling my parents about my accomplishments and my immediate family and close friends. I guess I have always loved to share my excitement with others. I think those experiences have helped me to be a very confident woman. I don’t need the praise but I do love it.
In this day and age we seem to praise every little deed our children accomplish whether it is noteworthy or not. As parents we are in fear that their self esteem might be low if we don’t say the right thing at the right time. I believe it was not the praise I received that made me confident as the security and unconditional love I felt from my parents and God that truly formed me into a confident person. I praise my children when they do well but I love to snuggle them and tell them daily how much I love them and that I prayed to God for each one of them before they were even in my belly. It’s hearing how much we love them daily, I believe, that gives them that security to hold their head high and know they are worthy and worthwhile.
Today, tell your children good job but every night before they fall asleep or when they wake up tell them you love them and you Thank God for them every day. I believe that will do more than any other words one can.
