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Scott Dunlop
Four
small words we do our best to tell our children. Four words that make
every effort at school and every personal triumph worthwhile: I’m proud
of you.
It’s
fine to have your heart swell with pride when you see your child
succeeding, and it’s also fine to have that same feeling when there’s
nothing especially
remarkable going on, just an appreciation of the little person you’re
with.
There
are some adults who have never had that affirmation from their parents.
They grew up in homes where this transaction of appreciation never took
place,
and, in some cases, that lack is what drives them in their relationships
and careers. You don’t need to be Oprah or Dr. Phil to see that.
Can
you imagine being a child and having your parent ignore you when you
brought home a certificate saying that you were the most helpful child
in class that
day? Or growing up with fights over reports rather than loving support
no matter what the results.
If
your kid comes to you with a crayon drawing of you, you’re hardly going
to criticise it and mock them over the lack of perspective, right?
There’s a correct
place for the “everything is awesome” response. (Sorry about that
ear-worm!)
I
see the pride my children take in their own achievements, whether in
the classroom or in grasping some concept which has eluded them. Their
eyes glisten
with happiness- not to gloat over anyone else, but out of the simple
pleasure of personal reward.
When
we get home after school, I normally head for the kitchen to cook, but I
try and acknowledge when they bring me their drawings and chats about
the fun
they’ve been getting up to. They’ve saved up all the exciting things to
tell me, so it’s not really fair of me to fob them off while I’m
chopping onions.
It’s
a good thing to encourage others, too. Friends and family. Other
parents. Not all of us have someone to whom we can tell our exciting
news. There have
been times recently when I have so badly wanted to call up my late mum
to hear her proud-of-you voice.
I
want to teach my kids to hear that voice when they do something well.
To recognise that even if I am not around to speak the words, their
successes belong
to them and they are allowed that moment of secret pride.
We’d
love to hear from you: what has been your proudest moment as a parent?
What made your heart burst with pride? Send your proud parent story to chatback@parent24.com so
that we can share your happiness. You could even win a R250 kalahari.com voucher.
P.S.
If you haven’t yet taken our awesome (everything is awesome!) Kids Nation Survey, head on over and check it out. You could win some great
prizes!
