My new children's picture book, Shyloe and the Mayor,
is now available on amazon.com. This charming little book shows how to
encourage children in leadership and "doing."
Many of our children, much
older than Shyloe, have already lost their nerve to step up and be part of the
solution. In my book, Shyloe is passionate about littering. So, she does
something about it.
The secret to her success is
the support from her mother. Momma doesn't say, "Wait until you're
older." She doesn't discourage her by adding, "Shyloe, you are only
seven years old." She helps Shyloe accomplish her dream of making a
difference by letting her do what she can do, within the ability of her
age.
You can help your child, your
grandchild, or the kids next door by listening to them, encouraging them,
and by validating their plans. Children are thrilled when you get down on their
level and validate their experience … when you really “see” them.
One of the men in one of the churches we served greeted our
daughter every Sunday with, “Good morning ornery.”
Aunt Ollie said, “Vicki
always has that look … what can I get into now?” They certainly let her know they
saw her and she was of value in their world.
My aunts and uncles were all
encouragers. If I told Aunt Ollie I was going to build a rocket so I
could go up and walk on the moon, she wouldn't have dismissed my idea as
foolish. And, she wouldn't have laughed or mocked me, crushing my dream and making
me leery of steeping forward in the future. She would have smiled and said,
"Well, take along a camera. I want to see the pictures when you get
back."
Are we lifting up our children
so they can be doers? Or, are we discouraging them by shooing them away while
we work or even play games? We hold the keys to their success. Help them be
doers not don'ters.
