How to grow a child.
Take one seed of love.
Place carefully into well nourished soil, in a sunny position.
Water in well with love, love, kindness and love.
Leave space for the plant to grow.
The roots are our support – our connections to others. Nourish the root system.
This is the tree from which love and beauty grow.
Gaze at its tender beauty, as it sends out new shoots and new leaves unfurl.
A flower blooms. Photograph it. Frame the photograph and hang it with care on your wall.
A flower falls. Lift its fragile petals and cup it in your hands, thanking it for being so beautiful, and kiss it goodbye.
A leaf falls. Another leaf falls. Keep your loved-one warm, wrapping them in blankets and cuddles.
Your tree, your love, now stands beautiful and strong, with flowers that bloom in spring and leaves that fall in autumn. Their happiness is your happiness and their grief is also yours.
Dwell in the sunshine, as you admire and enjoy what your seed of love has become.
Heart Mama ~ nourishing little hearts…with love, kindness, tenderness and sunshine.
{linking with IBOT and “In, on and around Mondays“}
{note: this is a very important post for me, as I think it sums up what I am trying to do as a parent, and who I am trying to be. It also underpins what I want my blog to represent. Please share it if you like it, and I would love to hear your thoughts below. Lots of love, Zanni}
Such a lovely post. Thank you for sharing it
Thank you Karen
x
Nice metaphor.
That is very sweet.
Thank you xx
Beautiful! You have created such a lovely place here xx
Thank you xxx
What a lovely post. Thank you for sharing. Rachel x
Thanks Rachel xx
thats so sweet
Lovely, so true and so creative
Thank you MsMandie xx
My daughter and I planted bulbs a while back and last night she shouted at me and,pointed “mum, look”, they’d blossomed. I could do the same back to my daughter, point and say ‘poppet look, you r a beautiful flower’.
And she is
Our children are so so beautiful. Thank you for sharing and for reading my post. xx
That is just lovely, just how it is.
Thank you Eva xx
First time visitor here, that was just beautiful
Thank you…I hope you will be enticed back. xx
Zanni this is beautiful. Such a gorgeous allegory; you have summarised Parenting in such a poetic, yet authentic way.
Thank you Jess. Your words mean a lot to me! xx
Gorgeous post Zanni … just beautiful x
Thanks Cassandra. I am glad you liked it xx
This is just exquisite, Zanni! So beautiful. x
Thank you my darling xxx
Thank you for sharing something so personal. It is beautiful. And it reflects my own values when it comes to parenting too.
Thank you Misha. I am glad you share this understanding. xx
Lovely!
Thanks Kelly
x
As a teacher of students with behavioral issues for 10 years, I saw first-hand the results of growing a child in environments opposite from the one you describe here. The first thing I did with a new student was develop a bond with him or her. I listened, I loved, I built trust … and slowly over time, the behavior improved and the child was able to learn and flourish–just as you describe.
Your insight is powerful and the writing is beautiful. This is exactly the kind of thing I would have shared with the parents of my students. Thank you for your message and for the work you are doing to strengthen families and their loving connections.
And thank you for thinking of me!
Rachel
http://www.handsfreemama.com
Thank you Rachel for your inspiring comments and for reading and engaging with my post. I am glad you were able to relate to what I am saying, as I highly value what you represent.
It’s interesting to hear your experience working with children with behavioural issues, and how effective your approach was. I feel so strongly about this way of child-rearing, so it is great to hear about its practical application.
“I listened, I loved, I built trust … and slowly over time, the behavior improved and the child was able to learn and flourish” – it is what I hope for all children of the world.
xxx
Absolutely beautiful post and exactly what I needed to read today, it’s been one of ‘those’ days so far and this is a good reminder of why I’m doing it!
Oh, thank you. I am glad I had the words to help you through the day
I am sure you are doing a wonderful job of growing your special person xx
“Gaze at its tender beauty, as it sends out new shoots and new leaves unfurl.” – these are my favourite moments of being a mum.
Just beautifully written, Zanni x
Thank you Grace
You obviously have a beautiful appreciation for your growing darlings. xx
Beautiful, it’s so relevant for me right now thankyou
Thank you. I’m glad my words synched with you. xx
Just beautiful honey. All people should grow their children with such tlc as you do. xx
Thank you Penny. I hope (I know) there are many mummies out their loving there little saplings like so xxx
Thank you dear Penny xxx
That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing. x
Thanks for coming by the read it. xx
Thats just beautiful. Well written
Thanks lovely Alicia xx
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Beautiful words Zanni, swinging by from FYBF and sending lots of fairy wishes and butterfly kisses your way
Thank you Rhianna…I will head over now to check out what you have been up to. xx
How beautiful. Just perfect. xxx
Thank you! xxx
Oh this is beautiful!!
Thank you Lisa! xx
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Beautiful metaphor – a great way to describe our role as parents.
Aww, gorgeous!
Thank you lovely lady. xx
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