"Mirror Check" Parenting

Tucked into one of the interior pockets of a purse my daughter gave me for my birthday one year, was a note. In the note she told me she loved me and was thankful for our relationship and that I was her mom. While it was nice to read these words, the words that left the greatest impression were the following...

"Mom, I am so proud of you. I don't know who you see when you look in the mirror, but when I look at you I see a woman who is strong, smart, beautiful and who loves God and her family with her whole heart. You are such an example to me and I hope that someday I will be just like you."

Wow! Did she really see all that? I was both happy and humbled. I was happy because she was seeing in me the mom and woman I wanted to be. Unfortunately for my kids I don't always look like that. I've had my share of 'bad hair days' as a mom and unfortunately for me, they've seen those 'bad hair days'. But fortunately for all of us, we've gotten through them. But we wouldn't have if I didn't take the time (even still) to do those 'mirror checks'--even the ones when I know I'm not looking so good.

So what about you? Do you think about what your children see when they look at you? You should, because I'm here to tell you that they are looking even when/if you don't think they are. And here's another thing you need to know--their vision is 20/20 when it comes to seeing the real you. They see deep down into your real self. They know the difference between who you are at home and who you are in public. They know your phone voice vs. your real voice. They know if you parent by example or are the do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do kind of parent.

Oh, and one more thing...your children don't stop looking once they leave home. In fact, they usually start looking closer and more intently once they leave home for college and to strike out on their own. So take a few minutes to stand in front of the mirror (the kind that allows you to see yourself from the inside out) and take a good, honest look. Do you like what your kids are seeing? If so, great! If not, it's never too late to do those 'touch ups'.

Love,
Momma D
                          Copyright 2020 Darla Noble. No part of this can be copied or used without permission from the author.