EVERY CHILD IS UNIQUE: AVOID COMPARISMS

   Every child is different and unique in their own way. If every member of a family was to love the same thing, have the same talent, hate the same thing, react to things in exactly the same way and behave in exactly the same way at all times, how boring such a household would be.
   In one family one can find someone who loves science and another who loves the arts, one might love to sing and another prefers to dance, one might be shy and quiet, another bold and outspoken. Variety adds spice to life.
   If one child does somethings better than the other, it is not for you to often openly rebuke thereby making one seem like a saint and the other a devil. Words like,"your sister would never have done that", "your sister would have done it better" ends up bringing about resentment between the two siblings involved. And that's how sibling rivalry starts. While some kids would strive to beat the record of the "better" sibling, others would relent and live with the consciousness that they can never be as good as the "better" sibling. If such attitude is not checked, it most times results in a poor self esteem.
   Children should not be compared most especially not to their faces. If there is anything one child does that you would live the other to emulate, then you should employ wisdom and love. Try telling the child the benefits of doing things in that particular way or exactly how you want things done for you without referring to anyone. Try to caution without mentioning the name of any sibling. Immediately you mention someone's name in the act of correction, comparism is what you are doing.

YOU CAN BE WRONG

   There is no rule anywhere that says parents can never be wrong, or that parents should never apologise to their children. It is however certain that no human is perfect and that includes parents. Most parents find it difficult to admit their wrongs and apologise to their children. I really don't know if you feel that would make you less of a parent, less of an example or something. If your children are looking for a perfect example then Jesus is their perfect example.
   You need to cultivate that attitude as a mother, not just for you girl child but for every other member of the family also. Sometimes we say the wrong words and give the wrong interpretation to situations and it hurts the people involved. You can be wrong about your thoughts, you can be wrong about your actions, you can also be wrong in your choice of words because no one is above mistakes. But how you handle them is what's more important.
   Sincere apologies go a long way in mending broken hearts. The spoken words cannot be taken away but saying you're sorry can help heal the hurt. An apology should not be made with excuses included or trying to give reasons for what you did. Just say you are sorry and you will try to work on not repeating the same mistake again; and please do. Don't try to make excuses for yourself when your child or spouse confronts you with something you've done wrong, don't try being defensive and think of how you would turn the case against them and make it suit you. Your home is not a court room where cases are worn or lost. Who wins shouldn't matter, maintaining the peace, the joy, the love you share as a family is what should be of utmost importance. And this even makes it easier for your children and spouse to also admit their wrongs and apologise too, and then you would have a home filled with smiles and laughter and joy

FROM THE SAME PLATE...

"... let's watch the bride feed the groom; and the groom feed the bride.." That's was the wedding day. You don't feed yourselves at home after then but do you even eat together? How often do you both share a meal?
  Before you rush out in the morning you can have a quick breakfast together, eating from the very same plate. It might be, that you return from work before him, even then you can make the sacrifice of waiting some minutes for your husband to get back. Yes so that you both can eat together, from the very same plate. Except for the days when it is unavoidable, then you'd be excused. In the evenings and during weekends too, make out time to eat together. Such little things are often neglected but they help in creating a bond. Eat together and make sure you enjoy doing so.

MOTHERHOOD

What qualifies a woman to be called mother? Is it the fact that she carried the child in her womb for nine months? What then would we say of women who could not carry their own children and opted for surrogacy? Does that make them less mothers than the others who carried their own children?
  The process of pregnancy, labour and childbirth can never be underestimated but then childbirth is not the end of motherhood, motherhood actually begins after childbirth. It is less of you now, more of your child. From infancy until your child grows and leaves your home (and even after) you will find yourself engaged in a journey, the journey of motherhood.

A MOTHER IS A TEACHER
   Your child spends more time with you and so obviously will learn more from you. Children are inquisitive, be ready to give answers to questions. You should make yourself approachable. Let the child be free to ask you questions, yes even crazy ones. A child comes into the world empty, not even knowing a cup but with time, the child speaks and does other things through learning. A mother teaches.
   The much older children might not need to always be taught things verbally, but as they watch you do things, they learn. They observe the things you do and the way you do them. You should watch your actions, your words and even your thoughts.

A MOTHER IS A FRIEND
   A friend is someone close, one who is not too far from the personal life of the one who calls her friend. People share good news with friends so they can celebrate together and also share bad news so they can be comforted. A friend is a shoulder to cry on, one to turn to for advice when we need one. The company of a friend is enjoyed, filled with laughter and affection. A friend is a support, a friend shows love and care.

A MOTHER IS A PASTOR
   A mother is a shepherd over her children, a pastor. She brings them up to love, obey and fear God and majorly prays for them. You don't know what they are up to and who they're with while at school, a birthday party, a friend's house, wherever. While you obviously can't follow them everywhere, you should pray for them. Pray for their success, their health, their safety and for their future. A mother is also to bless their children. They don't have to do something great before you pronounce blessings on them. Bless them, speak positive words into their lives, just because that is what a mother should do. Avoid speaking negative words into their lives.

   

   A mother is much more. A mother is all that she can be. The journey to motherhood is not really a smooth journey. It is filled with ups and downs, happy moments, sad moments, angry moments, moments of failures and successes. You might not be a 100% perfect mother, but having a 70% in motherhood is an A. Motherhood is much more than carrying a child in your womb for nine months.

HOME IS THE BEGINNING

   Should a place be called home simply because one's family live there? Or because it is where one returns to sleep after a long day? Should a place be called home because that is where one keeps their properties? Or because it is where one eats without having to pay?
   Home is the beginning; the beginning of everything. The beginning of life, the beginning of love, the beginning of laughter and even the beginning of tears. The good thing is however your home would be to a great extent lies in your hands as a mother.
   Home should be where children can be themselves without having to pretend or struggle to please anybody. Home is a place where a child gets all the encouragement he needs.
     Home is not the bricks and walls, home is where there is love and care.Yes your home can be great and to a great extent it's in your hands. If you are determined at making your home a sweet place of abode for your family, you can succeed. It won't be an easy task but then homemaking is an occupation, and the love you will get from your children in return can never be compared to any amount of wages in dollars or pounds.