Catch them

If I could disburse one piece of advice,

something I’ve learned throughout the years of parenting,

it would be to catch your kids.  

Catch them doing something kind and call them out on it. 

Praise them and tell them how proud you are. 

Catch them saying something considerate and let them know you were listening. 

Show them approval and tell them how gracious they are. 

Catch them when they wake up, full of boundless energy and excitement, wanting to hug you and not let go.

Show them patience and joy. 

Catch them when they study hard and get a good grade.

Let them see how much you value them and all of their hard work.

Catch them when they do something without being asked.

Tell them how helpful they are and how much you appreciate them.

Catch them before they go to bed, the last few moments before tomorrow comes.  

Sit down next to them, read them a story, pray with them and tuck them in tightly. 

Whisper ‘I love you” before turning the lights out.

Show them unconditional love.

As we go about our days it’s all too easy to find the things done wrong. 

The mistakes, the messes. 

To yell and find frustration in our child’s behavior,

but, I know, that only leaves us feeling regretful, angry and sometimes bitter. 

I challenge you to catch them when they are doing things right. 

Watch out for those little moments that you would normally ignore. 

It will water their little souls and stir a softness in you as well.

It will sew happiness through the thread of your family and replace chaos with calm.  

It will transform the way you see your kids and the way they see you.

  Start now. 

Today.

Catch them.