As parents, we wonder if the things we teach our kids or tell them about life ever registers. They seem to not be listening half the time. Their minds always seem so preoccupied with other things.

When you ask them most questions, they answer, “I don’t know.”

We have banned that response in our house.

If you don’t know why you didn’t do the dishes when you were supposed to, who does? I think requiring a response fosters inward looking and honesty. If you didn’t do them because what you were doing was more fun, just say that. You’re still going to do them. First, you will hear a lecture (that’s what they call them) about how what you were doing is not the priority. Now you’ve owned the things you like to do. You are honest about the things you don’t like to do, and you’ve gotten a lesson on priorities.

But, anyway, I’m writing about things sticking with kids

I was taking my daughter somewhere. Out of the blue, she asked me about a song we listened to when she was young. All she remembered was it was a song about treasure. I scoured my momputer (memory) to remember what song that could have been. I was shocked because she is so cool that I had no idea she was even enjoying the music. With my son, there is no question how he is enjoying the music. He sings and dances to almost every song he hears, commercial jingles included, but so do I. 🙂

Finally, I landed upon the song, “First” by Lauren Daigle.

I was excited and amazed. I don’t know what led her to remember this song. The fact that she remembered made me smile. The message of the song had me smiling even more!

I hadn’t played that song for her in years. It was at least 5 years ago when she was 6. I asked her what made her think of the song and of course she said, “I don’t know.” (That was before it was banned. LOL)

This scenario made me think of the many lectures on life that my husband and I have given over the years. You don’t think they are absorbing, but they are. I know a song is different because of the music. But, as many times as they hear these same lectures from us, the repetition alone should be making them stick. 😉

It might seem like children are not listening, but they hear you.

You’re raising them to think and do on their own, so let them.

Be there for them during the hard times for you. Yes, for you. When they are choosing what you know is not right, be there.

When they realize what they have chosen was not right or life is hard for them, be there.

Without judging, be there.

Without saying, “If only you had listened to me,” be there.

How you react is an integral part of their growth.

They hear you. Be there. Let them GrOw.