Friday, September 12, 2014

Lessons

The second I found out I was pregnant, 
I started thinking about the type of Mama I wanted to be, 
and what I wanted for my little one, and the lessons that would be important
for me to teach them.

This is an on going list, but here are the first few lessons I hope 
my little man will take and carry with him throughout his lifetime.

Keep a kind heart. 
In a world where there is so much negativity,
I want to teach Jackson to keep a kind heart.
I want to teach him to be aware of other peoples feelings,
and I want him to learn how his actions effect those around him.
I want to teach him to do things for people without expecting anything in return.
I want him to know that a small gesture can go a long way,
especially for those in need.
I want him to know that everyone goes through tough times
and those tough times will be when others will need his kind heart the most.

Give.
Your time. Your heart. Your smile. Your stories.
You will have so much to offer this world, 
and I truly believe you will be able to help make it a better place.
Don't be afraid to share what you have with those around you.

Interact.
Interact with those around you.
In a time where everyone is so consumed with their own lives,
and of course technology,
I want to teach Jackson to take the time to interact with others.
And not those close to him, those that we pass by in every day life.
Some days, I walk around my neighborhood, run errands, go in and out of stores, 
pass dozens of people, with zero interaction.
I hold doors open, and will say hi,
and just watch them walk by with not as much as a glance in my direction.
So Jackson, don't just look down, or look away. 
It's okay to actually look at someone while passing, and say "hi" to them, 
or just simply acknowledge them with a smile.
It will make the both of you feel good, I promise.


How about you? What lessons are important for you to teach your little ones?

37 comments:

  1. Erica, this is so sweet. You are teaching by example, the very best way. One thing you can count on, he is watching and learning. One day you will see these things reflected through him. Good job Momma! Be blessed

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    1. Thank you so much for the sweetest comment. I fear I won't be doing enough, but I know we are taking some of the right steps to help our little man grow. :)

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  2. Aw, I love this..He's going to learn so much from you! Great post!

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  3. This are fantastic lessons to teach your little one. I especially love the 'keep a kind heart' point. As a fellow mother this is such an important lesson for me to teach my little boy too, luckily he loves other people, is gentle, caring, loving and likes to share so he's already halfway there :)

    Fiona @ www.dollydowsie.com

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    1. Oh my gosh your little man sounds like such a sweetie! :) Thank you for the sweet comment!

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  4. I feel a pull towards kindness as well. I have such a heart now for "the least of these." I want her to know these things too. A good list!

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    1. Thanks so much, I know the list will only continue to grow, but it's a start! :)

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  5. I don't even have kids yet and I find myself thinking all the time about the things that I would like to teach them and the values that I would like to instill in them. I love this so much!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I've always made lists in my head of how I would be as well. Well before I was pregnant. I think it's a good thing! :)

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  6. My little one is 13 now. She definitely does some "typical teenager" things that make me crazy, but she has turned out to be a kind, compassionate, and passionate individual. Its easy to get caught up in the here and now, but overall, we raised a good person!

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    1. I'm sure she is such a great kid. :) I know I will have many challenges along the way, but I'm hoping they will also be just "typical teenager" things! :)

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  7. I think those are lovely things to teach our little ones as they grow up. I would also love to be able to teach mine how to be fearless, something I've struggled with and hope they don't have to :)

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    1. Thank you so much! And oh my gosh, I agree on fearless! I think I need to learn that myself first though! :)

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  8. I love this post! I agree that you should always give your time to your children! I'm so happy my mom, even though she worked a lot, always took the time to be with my sister and I <3

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    1. Thank you Angelic, my mom worked too, but she was ALWAYS there for us, and always took time for us. I think that plays a huge part in how you want to raise kids of your own one day! :)

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  9. What a sweet list! I'd love to make one too and pull it out every year to make sure we're on track!

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    1. Writing things down for my little man is so therapeutic for me. I think pulling out your list every year is such a great idea. I may have to start doing that! :)

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  10. These are really good! I think the best way to teach these lessons is by example. It sound like you already live out these 3 things and I'm sure your little is learning from you.

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  11. AHHHHH I LOVED this post! Your list is a good reminder for EVERYONE! So many of us are wrapped up in our day to day life that we forget to stop and enjoy/smell the flowers.

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  12. That's really beautiful! I need to make a point of slowing down with my little ones - the time we have together now is very limited because I have gone back to work - so I need to start making every minute count instead of worrying how much I get done in an evening.

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  13. That's great! I did something similar when I was pregnant with my daughter. It's a great way to live.

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  14. What wonderful lessons to teach, thanks for sharing! xx

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  15. This is incredible!! Thank you for sharing

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  16. These are all perfect to carry on and teach to little ones. I think that by doing so, you will have a wonderful little man on your hands.

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  17. Absolutely perfect. These are all he ever has to know!

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  18. Aw, he's one little lucky boy! Now I want to wake my guys up for some quality time...*resisting the urge*

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  19. This is so sweet!!! And perfect life lessons we should all take to heart. :)

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  20. Lovely post. Instilling those values by example is the best.

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  21. What a sweet list of life lessons for your little guy. These are the same types of lessons that I hope my kids will take with them as well. :)

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  22. Good lessons! I want to teach my boys to be gentlemen. Opening doors for others, speaking respectfully to others and having empathy and compassion. I want them to be able to defend and stand up for their faith. To share Jesus' love with everyone they meet.

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  23. Love your posts. Your going to be such a great role model for him.

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  24. These are some wonderful things to teach him! You will be a wonderful mom :)

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  25. This is a really sweet post, great advice for any new mama.

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  26. These are such perfect goals!! I would also like to emulate these goals and teach them to my future children

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