Last night I was busy working throughout the house…Making granola bars, doing laundry, doing dishes, folding socks, etc….Bedtime is BY FAR the most trying part of our days. I wanted to enjoy my busy time, (I love to be in the kitchen) and not worry about the kiddos chatting, etc. So I grabbed my MP3 player, and spent the evening listening to my favorite play lists. It was wonderful! I plan on doing this each evening now! It made the day end well for both the children and I. I didn’t hear them “unwinding” and stress. Wow. It was quite freeing honestly.
After I finished my tasks, I made myself a cup of tea. It was a new blend I had picked up while grocery shopping this week. It is made by Lifestyle Awareness, their Stress Balance blend. I can tell you that it was very de-stressing, combined with my play lists, I was at peace and loving my alone time!
While listening to one of my favorite artists, Barbara Streisand, her song “Children Will Listen” came on. It is a song that truly speaks to me every time that I hear it.
Here are the lyrics for some of you that may not be familiar with the song.
“Children Will Listen”
How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing’s all black but then nothing’s all white?
How do you say it will all be alright
When you know that it mightn’t be true?
What do you do?
Careful the things you say,
Children will listen.
Careful the things you do,
Children will see.
And learn.
Children may not obey,
But children will listen.
Children will look to you
For which way to turn,
To learn what to be.
Careful before you say,
“Listen to me.”
Children will listen.
Careful the wish you make,
Wishes are children.
Careful the path they take,
Wishes come true,
Not free.
Careful the spell you cast,
Not just on children.
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see
And turn against you…
Careful the tale you tell.
That is the spell.
Children will listen…
How can you say to a child who’s in flight,
Don’t slip away and I won’t hold so tight?
What can you say that no matter how slight won’t be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you’re dead
Only what ever you put in its head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too.
Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn.
Oh!
Guide them but step away,
Children will glisten.
Tamper with what is true
And children will turn,
If just to be free.
Careful before you say,
“Listen to me.”
Children will listen…
Children will listen!
Children, children will listen
I have been working on ensuring my words are filled with love, mercy and kindness lately. So when this song came on, it reminded me how very important my words are, and my actions as well. This song carries so much truth.
Our children may not obey, but they still watch, listen and learn from us. We need to ensure that ESPECIALLY during the trying times that we react correctly, for from those reactions they will learn how to react themselves. This is something I am seeing in my children already. There are many things that they do, that I realize all to often that they have learned from me. I am spending much time in prayer, seeking God and His strength to teach and retrain them the right ways to react and speak.
Don’t wait. Now is the time, reteach yourself, train and retrain your children if necessary. They will learn from us, look at yourself and ask if that is who you want your child to be. Make sure you look at the “bad” side of you, not just the good side for an accurate picture of your child’s future.
Step out in faith that God will give you strength, guidance and endurance to complete the task! Our children are the future, they will be the next generation, they will be able to reach others for Christ that we won’t. They will raise your grandchildren.
The task is great, but the reward of Godly children and grandchildren is much greater!
Praying love, mercy and kind words, as well as strength and endurance for you!
That is so sweet <3
Very important too 😉 Thanks for stoppin by! Blessings!
I love the poem!
It’s actually lyrics to a Barbara Streisand song 🙂 It is one of my favorites! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
A great reminder. Plus a great idea. I need to try and remember to use my ipod and chill ax as my girl winds down.
It truly worked for me! It was so nice. I hate ending the day badly, so I was thrilled that it worked! 🙂 thank you for stopping by 🙂
“Our children may not obey, but they still watch, listen and learn from us. We need to ensure that ESPECIALLY during the trying times that we react correctly, for from those reactions they will learn how to react themselves.”
So true and something I am constantly telling myself over and over. Thank you for the reminder.
Could be one of my all time favorite headers, ever! Way cute, vintage pic.
I love it too! 3 designs later and this is what I decided on! It was PERFECT! 🙂 Thanks for stoppin by! 🙂
I enjoyed the evenings with my kids. They’d all climb into bed with me or we’d all pile on one of there’s a read stories, share stories, sing songs and say prayers. I found it relaxing and what a great bonding time. Then I’d go and finish up my chores and spend time with my husband. As they got older I’d find myself waiting for them to get home from activities just to listen to them share their day. Time flies by so quickly and how I miss those times today.
Oh we love the night time! We read for almost an hour together, then say prayers. It’s when I walk out the door that the craziness begins. I remind myself that one day I will miss it, yet I have not learned to “love” it yet either. Thank you for reminding me of this!
I know they watch us, but I have never thought of it in thsi way before. Thank you for opening up my eyes and my own ears.
I’m glad that my thoughts and realizations were able to help you! That is my prayer for this blog! Thank you for stoppin by! 🙂
“Our children may not obey, but they still watch, listen and learn from us. We need to ensure that ESPECIALLY during the trying times that we react correctly, for from those reactions they will learn how to react themselves.”
Thank you for this reminder!
Your welcome! It’s something I often have to remind myself! Do I want this to come back at me some day? Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
I know what you mean, I now have to watch everything that comes out of my mouth. My daughter is a little mini me and I’m not certain the world is quite ready for two of us.
Cheers,
Char
http://1epicmom.com
I hear ya there! Everyone is always looking at her, then me and saying you know she’s just like you right? LOL!
Thanks for sharing your heart! It can be difficult to remember these lessons during difficult times of the day (or night!).
Yes it is! Thankfully each day is a new day with no mistakes in it! 🙂
That thought is frightening but true! Our children are perhaps one of the best mirrors we have to see ourselves! I’m already beginning to see it in my 16 month old! Just in little facial expressions and mannerisms.
Mary Beth
newlifesteward.com
So very true! My daughter and I butt heads because we are so much alike, then we respond much the same! LOL! It can get interesting!