How to model forgiveness for our children
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When was the last time you forgave your child?
Have you ever admitted to your child that YOU were in the wrong and seek forgiveness from them?
Have you ever paused to ponder just how pivotal these virtues are in shaping your journey as a mother?
There are two sides of the coin.
Just as there are two sides to every coin, there are two sides to forgiveness. There is the forgiver and the forgiven.
It can be so easy to focus on teaching our children to apologize and to ask for forgiveness when they make a mistake, but do you take the time to teach them how to forgive?
What does modeling both sides of forgiveness look like?
Grace in their chaos.
As mothers, we witness our children’s journey of constant learning, exploration, and boundary testing.
Undoubtedly, they’ll make choices that leave us disappointed, and yet, these choices are a part of what shapes them into the people that God has created them to be.
Grace, dear friend, has the power to transform your heart and the atmosphere of your home. It’s the unwavering love and understanding we offer even when circumstances get tough.
When your child approaches you with a sincere apology, it is grace that empowers you to envelop them in an embrace, steering them towards wiser decisions in the future.
Let’s be clear –extending forgiveness doesn’t imply sweeping their actions under the rug. Instead, it’s about guiding them through understanding the outcomes of their choices, all in a compassionate and constructive manner.
Grace in motherhood also implies acknowledging that our children are unique individuals. They come with their own set of strengths, vulnerabilities, and quirks.
Embracing their individuality while emphasizing that our love transcends their differences sends an unequivocal message. This message fuels their self-esteem and empowers them to blossom into their destinies.
What about when we mess up?
Now, let’s turn our focus to a lesser-discussed facet of the equation – the forgiveness we ought to seek from our children.
Imagine this: your toddler has turned your living room into an impromptu canvas with crayons, or your child’s decision has left you feeling exasperated.
It is in these instances when our patience frays and our reactions might be things we’d later regret. There is immense strength in admitting our imperfections and learning from them – a powerful example for our children.
It is in those moments, when I have raised my voice, that I have to pause, physically get down on my child’s level and confess my wrongdoing. “Mommy was wrong to raise her voice. I am sorry, will you forgive me?”
Beyond receiving forgiveness, our children also need the chance to forgive. In those humbling moments when you lower yourself to kneel at their level and request their forgiveness, you’re gifting them an invaluable lesson in grace. You are teaching them how to forgive.
By inviting them to extend forgiveness, you’re planting the seeds of empathy and compassion, seeds that will invariably blossom in their future relationships.
The Golden Thread
In the intricate tapestry of family life, forgiveness becomes the golden thread that weaves together moments of frustration, growth, understanding, and love.
Incorporating forgiveness and grace into your parenting style doesn’t mean you are permissive or neglecting discipline. It’s the art of striking a balance between imparting life lessons and offering understanding.
By forgiving our children and seeking it when we mess up, we foster an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn. By offering grace, we demonstrate the beauty of unconditional love and acceptance.
Response
So, fellow Mamas, let’s embrace forgiveness and grace as integral parts of our mothering journey.
Let’s show our children the strength that comes from admitting our imperfections and learning from them.
Let’s offer them the gift of grace, teaching them that love and understanding are always present, even in the midst of challenges.
Let’s teach them how to love and how to forgive those around them.
Remember, we’re all in this together, learning and growing, one forgiving and grace-filled moment at a time.
This week don’t shy away from talking to your child about giving and receiving forgiveness.
