Kiss Your Children!

“Do not kiss your children so they will kiss you back but so they will kiss their children, and their children’s children.”
~Noah benShea

My first sip of my Starbucks mocha is always after I read the quote printed on the cup. Today this quote is what I read, and before I knew it my eyes were full of tears and my heart warm and fuzzy.

I remember as a child being loved, being valued, being part of a large group of family and friends where love and kindness were the major themes. Now don't get me wrong, my family immediate and extended had its share of bad times, but through it all I felt loved and cared for. Even when times were tough I knew my family was strong. Every greeting was engulfed in a hug, every parting the same. Everyone was welcome and we were taught to extend that beyond our comfort level. We were also taught to respect authority and to trust our elders, even if we didn't agree. Of course we argued, we just knew when to back off or else suffer the punishment.

Now as a parent who works at raising kind, caring and respectful children I see how the lessons of love and sharing what we have with everyone is core to who I am as a parent. Empathy for others is my friend as I explain to my 4 year olds why it is important to share and give everyone a chance. Empathy allows me a way to teach my sons how to understand the way they feel when they are happy, sad, frustrated, scared, jealous, etc that others feel the same way. It is amazing how my sons can see this, even at 4. That they wanted to be treated with love and fairness, and that they become upset when other children do not return their kindness.

It is an uphill battle to be a parent. Easy days are few and far between because every day is a challenge to lead by example. My family did a tremendous job teaching me, and I see that coming through as I work on sharing those same values with my children. I stumble, I do not always guide with patience, but I do share my love with my kids. I want them to feel loved and valued, so that they will love and value all around them. I want to kiss and hug them everyday so that they know that is part of being loved, so that they will kiss and hug those they love.