ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORTMirroring Enthusiasm We want to communicate to our children that we are genuinely interested in their lives. We realize, however, that we're often preoccupied and unavailable when they come to us with concerns. Sometimes we're even irritable and cranky when they interrupt us. We want to change this. We never want our children to be afraid - or even reluctant - to share their concerns with us.We stopped sharing our inner lives with our parents at an early age because they were always too busy to listen. Even when they did listen, they often offered us little support, and were rarely enthusiastic about what we told them. They seemed to judge us as bad or inadequate if we had concerns. When we see parents who are enthusiastic in support of their children, we see how lucky those children are.We're learning to give our children enthusiastic support when they're excited and empathetic concern when they're upset. This is easiest with our youngest because they bring more enthusiasm with them. All we have to do is mirror it back to them by responding in kind. Our older children seem to have lost their enthusiasm along the way. They are more reserved, and we have to listen more carefully to show them our support. They test us before sharing their concerns or letting their enthusiasm show.Mirroring the enthusiasm my children express enables me to connect more easily with them.Click here to listen to this meditation. This excerpt is from Daily Meditations for Parenting Our Kids by Thomas Wright. Click below for more information. BackTo Meditations
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