Let’s Just Do It

something done or performed; act; deed.

action

It’s Tuesday again, and you know what that means… today is Truth Be Told Tuesday. Thanks for checking in.

I was thinking this morning that we all should be there for our kids in 2014. I’m not implying that anyone reading this isn’t there for their children nor am I suggesting that we somehow need to improve as parents, but was merely reflecting this morning upon what I believe is important to share with our children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews as they grow from children to adult and what I think that looks like.

And while I was thinking earlier this morning the phrase, “Let’s Be There For Our Kids” came to mind.

So here is what I was thinking.

Let’s not just give our kids money (for those that have it!) or be obsessed with buying them the latest gadgets. Let’s not protect them so much that they never learn what it means to fail. Let’s not fight all their battles for them. That attitude, and the behavior of fighting all their battles, will never help them when they begin their career at the biggest corporation known to man: MY LIFE, Inc. Let’s remember, when we do fight our kid’s battles let’s begin fighting them on our knees in prayer.

Let’s just be there for them.

Let’s acknowledge their pain, but remind them that there is a lesson to be learned in their pain that only they can learn. Remind them that you will not always take away their pain for just that reason. Let them know that they’re never as great as people would lead them to believe and that they are not as bad as some people say they are. Let’s be honest with them about their talents and their “lack of” in certain areas. Some kids are really good at playing shortstop and some are not. It doesn’t have to be the coach’s fault or the team he/she is on is bad. It’s just that they’re not a good shortstop.

Period.

There are worse things in life than our kids not being able to make a jump shot or having to endure a season with a bad coach. If you don’t believe me go volunteer this year at the Ronald McDonald House. They would love to have you and they will find something meaningful for you to do.

I promise.

Our kids can’t be great at everything and we owe it to them to tell them that. Let’s share with them that some people will love them and some will not… and that’s OK. Let’s tell them to just make sure they love themselves in a healthy way; eliminating narcissism, selfishness and arrogance. Let’s tell them not to be impressed with their own “humbleness” because they’re not that great. Let’s tell them that so they will grow into prosperous adults with a healthy self-image and with the proper self-esteem. Let’s tell them that one of the most important goals in their life is to become comfortable in their own skin while remembering that {we}, their parents, too have failed.

Let’s not allow our kids to some how think they’re better than others because their parents make a lot of money or because of the luxuries we, their parents, have purchased them. My success as your parent is my success.

I earned it.

I got the education, I went to the interview and got the job, and I made the sale. I did this, not you. I earned it, now you go out and earn yours.

Let’s let them know that rejection can always be motivating if they allow to be, and that when their love is rejected it will be “one” of the most painful things they will ever endure. Tell them to remember that truth, and because of that fact they should take very serious when another gives them their heart. Let’s let them know that every person they will date is not who they are destined to be with or marry, but that every relationship that ends doesn’t have to end badly. People do have the ability to go their separate ways gracefully, especially in a dating relationship. Let’s share with them that conflict resolution is more important than conflict and that thinking before speaking will never get them in trouble.

Finally, let’s tell them that they will always attract more bees with honey than they will with vinegar, and that their attitude and kindness will be the most attractive thing they will have to offer another person. Let’s let them know that good looks are nice, but character is the one true beauty that never fades, and that money is important, but you should never define yourself, or judge another, based on the size of a bank account. Let’s just be there for our kids and let them know that we don’t have all the answers, but we are willing to listen to every question. Let’s tell them that we love them, but God loves them more. Let’s just be there for our kids. We can do this.

Let’s just do it.

Let’s be there for our kids.

That is my “Truth Be Told” for July 8, 2014 (tbtt . #61)

PLEASE WATCH: This is just one example of what I’m talking about.

sbb . 875