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1.05.2010

{ They are listening }

So, this is part photography blog, and part mommy blog, and with this post I am attempting to give you a taste of both.

I was reading an article today, and found it impossible not to share some of it. Hopefully you will love it as much as I did, and put some or all of it to good use.

With our busy, day to day lives, sometimes it is easy to forget to be really present and 'talk' to our children. Of course they know we love them, but sometimes we forget the things that they need to hear, and hear often.


{19 Things we should say to our Children}

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

All you need is... (edit)

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

Is anybody up there?

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

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4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

summer afternoon

5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

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6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

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7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

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8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

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9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

Sheriff ²

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

"It's for you."

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

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12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

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13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

Charlie

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

Global Village

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

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16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

my girl...

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

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18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

Making cinnamon rolls with Grandma...

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

The best place to seek God is in the garden.


{*The original source for this article can be found HERE } Ü

75 love notes:

  1. thank you for such a beautiful reminder .. perfect!

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  2. Anonymous1/05/2010

    beautiful. what a wonderful post. thank you.

    tamsen

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  3. Love this post, it so much reminded me of The Little Prince by Exupéry. All of this things are teaching kids to become loving, caring and resposible adults that is getting be rare in our times. Picture choises are perfect as well. Thank you so much for this post!

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  4. It's rare that a post makes me tear up and get goosebumps. Thank you for this. :) And for the gentle reminder of the messages we need to send out kids, especially those of us that didn't get these messages given to us.
    Dana

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  5. That was surprisingly moving...I'm proud of myself that the list wasn't totally unfamiliar to me. I'm doing a pretty good job listening. Thanks for the reminder ...and the reassurance.

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  6. What a beautiful post. Many thoughts we seem to forget...

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  7. THIS is my all time favorite ML post! Such important words, such beautiful photos to accompany them! Thank you for sharing these.

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  8. Beautiful words that I love to share with my twins. Thank you. xox

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  9. love this! thanks so much for sharing....I wish I could hang this on my fridge! : )

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4/11/2012

      you can hang it on your fridge...I'm printing it up on my computer and hanging it for a reminder! :)

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  10. A wonderful and important post!! With gorgeous images :)

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  11. What a beautiful and simple reminder of what to do and say to our little loves. Thanks for sharing this.

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  12. Just what I needed to hear today. I have three sick kiddos and my patience is thin. Off to squeeze, hug, and snuggle!

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  13. Wow, so inspirational! Thank you for this.

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  14. love them all! It is so hard to be a parent sometimes and it is so easy to overlook the little things that our children need. I have found that every once in awhile, pulling one of my boys aside and telling that how glad I am that I had them and that I am so blessed by them usually gets a big grin and of course laughing when they make a joke. They think it is great when they are funny hehe

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  15. Such a good reminder to share some real special moments with your children....sometimes the most meaningful memories you make with your children are free. THanks so much for sharing!!

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  16. I LOVE this post! So beautiful and perfect!

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  17. I so love this. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. those were great, thanks for sharing!

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  19. Anonymous1/10/2010

    Awww, as a Grandmother I wish I could do it all over! I have great grown-up children, though, and will remember these words to live by for my grandchildren. Thank you.

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  20. Beautiful! I love what you have done with this. The message is as great as the photos!

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  21. Beautiful. So glad I do say these to my girls. Such important words we spread ...

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  22. May He bless you abundantly for reminding me of these special truths today...

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  23. What a great post! We are all humans and being reminded as to what is important is, well, important.

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    1. What a treasure to share! Know too, that the kiddos never get to old to hear these important words...Thanks for creating a pathway to discover our children in many more ways! And what wonderful people the will become for our efforts...

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  24. Anonymous3/03/2012

    This is so ~PERFECT~

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  25. Anonymous3/03/2012

    perfect words to live by! Thanks for the reminder!

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  26. Anonymous3/03/2012

    What a beautiful reminder!

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  27. Anonymous3/03/2012

    Absolutely beautiful!

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  28. Anonymous3/04/2012

    in my quest to help them make good choices I forget sometimes to watch them grow. thank you for this.

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  29. Anonymous3/04/2012

    Thank you so much for putting these together. Great reminders to us all. And also great for those of us who are teachers - these little reminders should go up in every classroom.

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  30. I need to try number 11! That would shock a few children around here! haha! =)

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  31. Anonymous3/04/2012

    As a teacher, I am going to type these up and tape them to my desk. I need to remember these phrases for my students as well as my own kids!!

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  32. I've been feeling like a terrible mother today, just wishing there was a rule book on how to be perfect. This helped, and was encouraging, even to me: I make mistakes, but I can do better. Tomorrow is another day, and I want my daughters to know I feel all of these things for them. Thank you.

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  33. Anonymous3/05/2012

    My kids are are grown and I can still use every one of these...and now, through the Lord's blessing, I have a granddaughter to use them on as well :)
    God Bless.

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. Anonymous3/05/2012

    Thank you for this. Today was awful-- I have teething twins, and today was particularly bad for all of us. This was exactly what I needed to put things back into perspective. Thank you.

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  36. Anonymous3/06/2012

    Beautiful. Thank you.

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  37. Anonymous3/06/2012

    This is lovely!

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  38. Thank you! Will be reposting this so that I can remember!

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  39. Anonymous3/07/2012

    What treasures!!! Words are so important for our children at all ages, for our grandchildren, for our students, our friends, our spouses & for any of us for that matter!!! I copied & hand wrote each of these into my journal and as doing so, I also felt like the daughter I am to my Heavenly Father. I felt treasured as if He too were speaking these words over me!!!! Be kind with all your words as you don't know what someone, yes, even our little kiddos, are going through at any given moment!!! Thank you for this post, it was BEAUTIFUL and has given me warm fuzzies, allowing the "little girl" in me to feel Loved!!!!

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  40. Anonymous3/07/2012

    Brought tears to my eyes. :)

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  41. Anonymous3/08/2012

    you forgot I am proud of you.you did a wonderful job.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4/11/2012

      I agree! I try to say "I am proud of you". Often!

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  42. Awww - I love this! I think it should be posted on my wall to remind us as parents what is important

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  43. Anonymous3/09/2012

    Love these! I plan to put together a "book" for a couple who are expecting their first child in June. These will be added along with other bits if wisdom I have collected and learned from experience. Thank you!!

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  44. absolutely lovely post! :) Thank you!

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  45. This is very much appreciated and these words are such good reminders.!

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  46. Greetings -

    Thank you for your encouraging and heart-warming post.

    You've provided an excellent reminder, not only that our children are listening to us, but of the critical role mothers and fathers play in the growth of their kids.

    I am going to suggest this to my readers.

    Best wishes for continued success!

    Guy

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  47. Anonymous3/16/2012

    I have tears in my eyes, thank you.

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  48. Anonymous3/19/2012

    Beautiful reminders! we need to think of these each day when things are so busy and hectic! We will never have this moment again and time goes by so quickly!

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  49. I LOVE this!!! May I repost your ideas on my blog if I give you full credit and link back here???

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  50. My boys are newly 16, 21 and 24 and while I tried to tell them all these things, I'm sure I forgot to often...but I still work to make sure they know all this especially that no matter what (teenage troubles) i will always love them, that I trust their decisions and will support them, and if it doesn't work out its something you should be proud you tried anyway...thanks for this great reminder!

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  51. Anonymous3/23/2012

    Thank you, I Love this!!! I try to tell my son all of these things and am sure I forgot some of them so thank you for reminding me Bless you!

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  52. Anonymous3/30/2012

    Wow. This IS perfect. Wonderful. Convicting. Perfectly said, each of the 19 things "to say". I love this. Thank you so much!

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  53. Anonymous4/11/2012

    Thank-you that was lovely

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  54. Amazing and beautiful list. True, ever last one of them.

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  55. Beautiful! Thank you for this!

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  56. Awesome reminders. I really love this. But, I wonder about the original source. You mention you read an article & had to share so I'm curious where the original article can be found? You should always credit your sources!

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    1. I added the source! Thanks for bringing my attention to that oversight.

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  57. This is a beautiful list! Thank you for posting this!

    Mary
    Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives

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  58. Just found this today {through Pinterest} - <3 this list! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  59. Thank you thank you thank you for this must needed message

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  60. Dear ones. This is Grahamcracker speaking:
    All these things are important to say to children; but I really think #6 YOU saying you're sorry to your children cannot be overrated.
    It DEMONSTRATES that you make mistakes and can recover from them. It SHOWS them that they, their ideas, and their actions are important and valued. Here's the other thing though: Occasionally you need to tell them this: "What you did/said was very unkind and it makes me very sad? You need to think about how you can make it right." I know it's related to #4 "You made a mistake" but kindness and accountability are important for your child's future integrity and empathy.

    Mommies and Daddies when you forget to do these things promise me you won't be too tough on yourself. Try again tomorrow!!!
    Lovvies, Grahamcracker

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  61. Anonymous5/01/2012

    Beautiful.

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  62. My wife sent me a link to this. I need to say these more often, just to remind them how great they are.

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  63. Anonymous5/11/2012

    Wonderful! Thank you for making a beautiful, caring list that doesn't include the bible or praying. I'm Christian, but lately it's really been bugging me. I've met very wonderful caring parents of many different faiths so I think that it's really important that your list doesn't exclude anyone - it's just generous. Thank you.
    <3

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  64. Wow, I don't even have kids and that was wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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  65. This is lovely. BUT, you really should not be reposting someone else's content like this. Even leaving a small link at the bottom like you've done, doesn't truly give credit where it's due. It's actually stealing of content. The right thing to do is list a few of them and then LINK to the original article.

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  66. Anonymous5/29/2012

    It's sad that my mother rarely said any of these things to me. And when she did, she just wanted me to say it back to her (i.e. "I love you"...pause....waiting for me to respond like a robot that I love her too because she needed validation). I think a child shouldn't be forced to say "I love you, too" unless they want to say it. I know that was not the purpose of this post, I'm just venting. I will be a MUCH better mother than my own mother was!

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