Something good I do as a mum

19 years ago

For a long time, when I go in to say goodnight to my children, I have always said "what was the best part of the day?"

They have grown to just love discussing this, at this special time, with cuddles and kisses, and it leaves them feeling happy as they go off to sleep.

I was thinking you could also ask "How did you help someone today?" as a way of boosting self esteem, and getting them to think about what they do.

Do you have any "good things" that you do with your kids, like this ?

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Comments (4)

sweeby
19 years ago
We do that at the dinner table, and it is nice what the kids have to say. If I get a 'nothing' response, then I'll switch it up to the 'funniest' thing, the 'most interesting' thing, or even the saddest. But it's always interesting and a great way to stay involved in their lives.
stephanie_in_ga
19 years ago
Wow, popi, it's surprisingly hard to toot one's own horn! I've had this on my mind for days.

Something good I do as a "mum" (I like that) is to pass on a love of books to my kids. We're getting ready for the Harry Potter releases, movie and book. So we started reading book 5 again. I had all 4 kids sprawled on my bed (king size ;o) ) listening to me read to them. Couple weeks ago we took a long road trip and listened to book 6 on cd as we drove. I will take them all to the midnight release of book 7. If I maintained a scrapbook, (yeah right) there would be a few pages dedicated to our family enjoyment of HP.

I am always reading a book and will sit on the bench in our front yard after dinner. DD comes out and sits with me with her own book. She's only 7, so it's very cute to me. DS, 13, is a very good reader for his age. He was required to do a lot of independent reading this past school year and I always challenged him by giving him quality reading material. Last spring we read "Night" by Elie Wiesel together. I gave him "Of Mice and Men" and when he was finished he came and said "Can we talk about this book?" I about cried! That is the sort of moment that I looked forward to most when I became a mother! I've also enjoyed sharing less serious reading material with him, too. He likes the humor of Douglas Adams' science fiction.

I've always read to my kids, and not because some magazine article or parenting book told me I should. I have always loved reading so it was the most natural thing for me to share that with my kids. Now that 3 of the 4 are literate, I can share it with them in a whole new way. One more to go, by the end of the year my youngest will likely be reading on his own, too. Seeing them learn to read is the most satisfying milestone for me as a parent.
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popi_gw
Original Author
19 years ago
Stephanie, what a lovely "mum" (lol) you are !

I can feel a halo forming on my head, yet again ! I, too, have always read to my two. I am sure that is why they have done so well at school.

We are waiting for Harry Potter, too, its exciting isn't it.

I put this posting here, because I think this forum does focus on problems, and maybe we should be thinking about the good things we do as parents. Thanks for your input, I hope others can think of some nice comments to put here.
socks
19 years ago
Popi, if only all kids were so blessed and loved as yours are. I know you know you are doing a "good" thing, but I doubt you really know the magnitude of it. The gift of time for our children is the greatest gift. Your questions are simple, yet a bit thought provoking for your kids. As you discuss these things, the kids will feel free to open up to you about other things that happened during the day. Communication with our kids is so valuable.

You're a great mom. Keep up the good work.

Something good I do as a mum

Comments (4)

sweeby

stephanie_in_ga

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Something good I do as a mum

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sweeby

stephanie_in_ga

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