If there is one thing this program has taught us is that this statement is so entirely true! It is fundamental and necessary in helping our children break through and grow. If we look at their abilities as subpar and measure them based on this, they feel it and know your intention in teaching them new skills. The growth is so much slower and deliberate. However, we have found through these fundamentals that if you embrace your child, love them for who they are in every moment and take the emphasis off of what you wish they “should” be doing or what is deemed “normal”, they respond more and love themselves and us in the process. When we feel love, we learn the ability to relate and love those around us.
One of the biggest things I have noticed about Lucas in the past month or so is his awareness level. He is now hitting milestones that he never hit as a toddler. Some of those being climbing up to get into cupboards, finding creative ways to get what he wants and playing with EVERYTHING, pulling toilet paper off the rolls. Nothing is safe these days. LOL. We are now childproofing at 7 years old and I am so happy to do so!! You may find this a funny thing to be excited about, but I remember when Lucas was about 2. I was childproofing the kitchen cupboards, excitedly leaving one on the bottom with all the stuff he could play with (plastic utensils, bowls, tupperware, etc) only to find him never interested in exploring this space. There is a joy to knowing that he is aware and interested in his surroundings and exploring all of the things around him!
I have the cutest story to share as well on this awareness and his determination. I came downstairs and Lucas was sitting in a chair with no shirt on and a big smile on his face. Of course firstly I am wondering why no shirt as he hates to be shirtless. I look over and I notice a chair pulled up to the sink where I had previously hidden a half drank can of pop (a safe hiding spot in the past) and noticed the pop was all over the floor and the shirt on the floor soaked. I look back at Lucas and he says proudly with the hugest smile, “Lucas drank pop!” Instead of being angry at the mess and of course the can of pop which is horrible for his dietary issues, I immediately felt joy and excitement at his curiosity, pride and his ability and desire to verbally share this with me. I could only think of one response as I cleaned up. With pride and joy, I turned to him and said “Yeah, you did buddy!!!!” This fundamental of knowing how my attitude and emotional state can shape and form how my son relates to and sees our world has made our world together full of joy, possibility, hope and most importantly undeniable growth!