I want my son to remember how special he is and have confidence in himself, so I've introduced short, positive phrases into our morning routine. Because parenthood is a constant cycle, with each new milestone comes a new challenge to face. Boundaries are tested and tempers are strong. But oftentimes I try to consider how tough it is to be a kid. It can be a daunting task trying to figure out this world and how it works. My son is like most kids, just doing the best he can in a society he is just learning about, constantly trying to remember manners, what is right and wrong, and how to be a good friend. Yes, sometimes he can be entirely frustrating, but I know that his heart is pure and his mind is innocent.
He's at that age now when kids start to notice small differences in one another. He's at that age when kids start to tease on the playground and exclude others from pretend play. And it's in this small window of time I feel an immense obligation to instil in him confidence, to build his moral intelligence, and to teach him to always do the right thing. Simply put, I want him to be a good person.
He has his quirky attributes and particularities. He's social, friendly, and has fortunately never let his differences affect his bubbly personality. He started preschool when he was 2-and-a-half years old. And by the time he was 3 years old, I started to say these four positive affirmations every single morning on our way to school. Because here's the thing — if I don't say these things to him, then who will? As a parent, it's my job to develop consistency and routine, to make my children feel secure, and to help them develop resilience. One of the most important parts of parenting is showing them how to be confident.
I don't want him to blend in, I want him to shine. I want him to march through life with self-assurance. I want to acknowledge him. I want to reassure him. He deserves good praise, and I'm his number one cheerleader.
Here are four positive affirmations we recite every morning: