Parenting Emotions - Empowering

Do you ever find yourself watching the children play

And get a thrill as they turn around every so often

Just to check you are still there

Watching over them,

Looking out for them

Making them feel safe


Recently, I was watching the children in the school playground where I work, They were having a great time playing "Tag" You know the basis of this game even though it is called by a whole variety of other names depending who and where you are playing:

You have the "catcher" who is "IT"
Everyone else has to run from one side of the playground to the other. Without being tapped by "IT" or else you are the one who is "IT" !!!!
Of course if you reach the "Wall" then you are "Home" and can't be tagged
What I learned by watching, them play, is the determination each child had on reaching the wall.
Not only that I had a little giggle as I watched some of the boldness of these same children as long as they kept contact with the wall
They would make faces, taunt, even take a few steps away from the wall but jump back quick when necessary.
Knowing the wall was right there behind them, made them feel so safe

So what has a childhood game got to do with Parenting Emotions??????

Well, for me,
its because
I WANT TO BE MY CHILDS WALL !!!!!

When the children play these games, its not the wall thats powerful, its the knowledge that the wall is their safety. The wall does not jump out and stand between them and the "IT" No, the wall just empowers them to believe they are  on a safe footing.

That is what we as Parents should be providing for our children
We are not supposed to fight all their battles
We are not supposed to be their strength
We are not supposed to be someone to hide behind
We are not supposed to make their decisions
We are not supposed to plan their lives
We are not supposed to live their lives

BUT
We are SUPPOSED to be their security and their safety
By imagining ourselves as the wall in their playground games, we are actually backing off physically, however at the same time we are EMPOWERING them to be confident, be themselves, be bold, be courageous, be willing to take chances....... because they KNOW that just behind them is their own "WALL" ready to give them all the support and safety they need as long as they reach out for it.

I know what you are thinking..........
How can I stand back and do nothing when my child is being hurt, bullied etc ???

That is when we just remind them that we are there for them, by once again empowering them, this way we are giving our child the tools they need to know when they are out of their depth and need our help

So next time you see your child, happy, relaxed, enjoying life and they look back to you, give them the nod of approval and watch the difference when you empower your child.