If you are like me then you love reading a good book. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a beautiful easy read. If you haven’t read it yet, you can find a quick summary of it HERE.
There were many times while reading this book that I was moved to tears. The story is one that has deep moments of love no matter race, religion or age. The main character is a black maid named Aibileen Clark, she is a true example of loving hard when it is hard to do. She does so by speaking positive words of affirmation into her employers young child. She reminds her every day that: “You is kind, you is smart, you is important. ”
The words are so simple. Said aloud though, they can move me to tears every time. It is so crucial to remind our children that they are all of these things and more. If they are reminded on a daily basis that they are loving, intelligent and influential they will eventually accept the fact that they are able to be these things we claim they are.
I love positive affirmation. I thrive on it and I know my children do to.
In our house we have our own quote that we use daily.
I knew it was finally seeping into them the other day when I watched our six year old play with his infant brother. He was maneuvering his tiny chubby legs and making them kick him in karate style movements; the baby lay on his back loving his life and basking in his brothers attention.
Suddenly, with no prompting, my dirt loving, wrestling, rough and tumble boy leaned in close to his little brothers face and clapped his feet together. He said in a sing song voice, “These feet are going to go good places! These hand are going to do good things!”
Be still my heart.
Such a simple saying that I say to them every day. And now they were saying it to each other.
I will say it when I help with their shoes or when they are pulling off socks for bath time. When baby feet are kicking during a diaper change, and when big kid feet are getting reprimanded for kicking and stomping.
It was such a small moment, with simple words, but to me it meant so much.
It meant, my babies are getting it. They are listening to this positive saying, they are remembering it and acting it out.
I love words of affirmation. I want to say them more and influence my babies for the better so that those little feet CAN go good places and those little hands CAN do good things.
Do you have special sayings you say at your house?
xo
Lisa @ akawest
October 28, 2012 at 1:35 pmI enjoyed reading The Help, and was excited when my whole family watched the movie. While we don't have any sayings, since our younger daughter is deaf, we often sign, "I love you." That says it all.
Thanks for following my blog. I am now your newest follower.
Lisa
bethanygier
October 29, 2012 at 3:22 amI love that you guys sign "I love you" as a special way of sharing feelings as a family 🙂
We have a nonverbal way of saying our feelings too. (Just incase my six year old doesnt want to say it to us aloud in the school yard, or there isnt an appropriate time, or something like that.) We do three tight hand squeezes to say I-love-you. I will take it any way shape or form!! ;D
Thanks for following along! Look forward to getting to know you better Lisa.
Judy grieve
October 29, 2012 at 12:01 pmYour feet are going great places and your hands ARE doing great things!(mamma)…
twelve-O-eight
October 29, 2012 at 7:50 pm"LoveYouBye" is the way we end each phone call and when we leave the house for our family. A constant reminder that love is the most important thing, and we are all loved. Thank you for this beautiful post 🙂
xoxo, Tanya
Anonymous
October 31, 2012 at 12:59 pmBawled my eyes out watching The Help. I haven't yet read the book, but intend too.
Your family quote is exactly how you and your hubby are. Even the little glimpses of your lives with your humour hard work, passion on your blog shows this is a motto your family ARE!. Well done you to you and your hubby. Jojo:)
bethanygier
November 4, 2012 at 2:18 am"Iloveyoubye" is great. Simple and perfect. We dont say that as much here, though I think I need to reinforce that more. 🙂 I know I always notice when people say it in closing on the telephone and it always makes me smile.
Jojo – the book is so much better than the movie! You have to read it one day!
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