Have you ever had an idea pop into your head? You know, a really great idea that you are just sure everyone will think is brilliant. You can’t wait to share it with someone. However, instead of them loving your idea, their first reaction is indifferent or negative. Immediately, the idea loses steam. You might let it go, you might ask someone else or you may just shake it off till your next great idea arrives.
Now imagine, you are 7 and you have an idea that makes you grin from ear to ear. Excitedly you share it with your family. Your parents immediately shoot it down and move on with their conversation. You feel defeated. You take it to heart. Deep down you decide that maybe your ideas are not that great. It will probably be a long time before you decide to share again.
As parents we have a lot of life experience to fall back on that allows us to separate who we are from what we do. We realize that we are not defined by one idea, good or bad. As a child, that separation is not as easy. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is confidence and a high self-esteem.
Seed #2 is Don’t Quack the Duck. The Duck is the idea. It’s not that every idea is good, but every idea deserves to be heard and respected. The next time your child says, “Hey, I have an idea.” Listen, ask questions…really seek to understand. Rather than immediately quacking their Duck, give their Duck some respect. In the end, you may be giving them and their Duck wings to fly.
Don’t Quack the Duck is Seed #2 of 4 Seeds that offer a simple, yet powerful way for families to communicate at the kitchen table and beyond. To learn more go to https://unstoppableconnections.com/unstoppable-family
