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Be Their Biggest Cheerleader

Children blossom under positive encouragement. I felt very convicted the other day that I needed to be more intentional with encouraging my children. I want them to know how proud I am of their accomplishments - big or small. I also try to encourage positive character traits I see in them. It's amazing what that does. 

Sadly, this doesn't come naturally to me. I'm a tough perfectionist, especially on myself. It's good to be driven and always seek to do better, but I need to remind myself that praise gets people further than criticism. (That goes for myself too.) I need to recognize when other people are doing their best and offer up heartfelt praise. I should also apply this to myself; I'm doing my very best - and it's good enough.

This is at the top of my self-improvement list. Perfection is not a tangible goal. Encouragement to do your very best should be the goal - and everyone's best looks different. I need to remember to apply this to my kids, my coworkers, and myself.

Both of my boys have been working on reading with their Nana while I'm at work, in preparation for school this fall. They love to show me their letters and I make a huge deal about it, showing over-the-top excitement as I praise their accomplishments. Their dimpled smiles were priceless.

Tonight, my 3-year-old daughter wanted to play "beauty salon" with me. I let her "style" my hair and paint my fingernails. The results were, well....


But I gushed about how beautiful my nails looked and what a great job she did. The look on her face was priceless. Priceless enough that I'm going to wear my nails like this when I run errands tomorrow and brag to everyone I see that my daughter did a great job. Doesn't matter what anyone thinks when they see my fingers splattered with pink polish. I want my daughter to know I'm proud of her.

Our kids will grow up in a world full of criticism and status-quos. We should be the ones cheering them on in their endeavors, regardless of perfection. They should have the security of knowing that their parents are proud of them. Everyone needs their own cheering squad to make it successfully through life.

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