My lovely friend and guest, Danielle Henderson, Author and Founder of Kids Soul Speak, was on my show and our lively, wine-drinking, humorous conversation was hilarious! Check it out HERE in case you missed it.
Dani’s work is centered around the documentary she is creating based on her book, Kids Soul Speak. She is so passionate about children being able to use their voices and share their own emotions and experiences for themselves. The book is about children of divorce, but the documentary will cover other stories as well. You’ve got to get her book!
The topic I chose to discuss was centered around the importance of treating your kids like people and not like possessions. Just because I gave birth to my twins does not mean that I own them. I chose to have them, but they chose to come here. I was the conduit that gave them life. They have their own journeys to follow, their own dreams to fulfill, their own moments to experience. I can honestly say that I think I learn more from them than they do from me. What a gift!
So, why is it so important to treat your kids like people? Here’s 3 reasons:
1. Imagine the Positive Impact You Will Make on Them Expressing ONLY Kindness and Compassion!
What would it have felt like for you to only receive love, support, positive guidance, unconditional love all your life? How different would your life look? Pretty incredible, right? Well, now imagine that for your children. If they are raised in an environment without any fear or judgement, they’ll grow up being unafraid to try new things and won’t have any judgement attached to anything. They will have limitless imaginations and endless ideas!
2. Negative Effects of Verbal and Physical Abuse Don’t Go Away On Their Own!
A wound left untreated turns into a nasty scar. Verbal wounds hurt worse than physical wounds, because you can’t see them. They get buried deep, deep, deep into the unconscious mind. They live there forever unless they’re treated properly. Saying, “shut up, you’re so stupid, you don’t know what you’re talking about, how many times are you going to make that same mistake” are all bad. So are things like, “she’s the pretty one,” “the smart one,” “he’s the funny one.” Those are just as bad, believe it or not. Labeling is really harmful because it puts your child into a box in their own minds, believing that they can only be, do, and live a certain way.
3. They are Born KNOWING, Have No Beliefs About Learning, and Learn So Fast!!!
We come into this world all-knowing and all powerful. Then, we get screwed up by everyone around us because we take on THEIR limiting beliefs. Why is it that a child can learn multiple languages so quickly, or pick up a piece of technology and master it in nothing flat? It’s because they don’t have any negative self-talk telling them they can’t do it. Don’t you wish you could go back to that state of mind? They know! They just know! So, foster that knowing by encouraging it, praising it, and creating space for more of it for them.
Now, I’m not saying don’t “parent” your children. Keep them safe, feed them, nurture them, love them, enjoy time with them. Just don’t try to control them. Treat them with respect, kindness and compassion. Treat them the way you want to be treated. We all deserve that, no matter what age.
Affirmation Statement:
I HAVE TODAY to…treat every person with kindness and respect, including my children and me.
With Love,
Diane
Quote: “Anything can happen if you let it.” – Mary Poppins
One more thing…in case you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out the “10 Days to Your Passion and Purpose” Program. For those of you looking to make some serious changes to your life, if you give me a dollar a day for ten days, I promise I can make that happen for you!