The “I’m Blessed By You” Note
ByOne of my greatest desires in life is to be a true blessing to my children. They sure are to me! Today, my son John, put his hand on my shoulder as he towered above me and said, “I’m really glad you’re my mom.” (insert tears)
I responded with, “You’re still my favorite.”
To which he then retorted, “You’re still my favorite mom.”
As much as we really do love our kids, we often don’t take the time to tell them in ways that really speak to them. Last night I was reading a book by Barbara Corcoran called, If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails & other lessons I learned from my Mom This quote really stuck in my head,
And that was my mother’s genius. She kept her house going by putting her finger on the special gift she saw in each of her children, and making each and every one of us believe that that gift was uniquely ours. Whether it was true or not, we all believed it.
As I was taking a bath today I was thinking about ways that I could bless my children like that. Ways that I could let them know they are loved and that they each have such a uniqueness about them and that they can really do anything they set their minds to do.
I thought of each of my children and could even see their smiles as I thought of how unique they are. This is when I came up with the idea of writing each of them a thank you note, but more like an “I’m Blessed by You” note. I’m going to sneak in their rooms while they are out of them and put the handwritten note in an obvious place, taped to the computer screen maybe, or perhaps replace the bookmark in their current read, or I’ll simply place it on the pillow of each child. My heart has been filled with such love and gratitude for my amazing children, it’s almost bursting out of me!
A few weeks ago I began a routine as I left the house by saying, to no one in particular, “I love you.” Sometimes the words aren’t spoken for the benefit of the hearer, but the benefit of the person speaking the words.
Now that the kids are getting older they often come and go a lot. Another thing I want to do is make up a cute little “exit note” by the door. It would simply say, “As you go into the world, KNOW that you are loved by us.” I want to laminate it and hang it just above the light switch. Perhaps as they read it on their way out the door, it will fill them with great feelings – knowing they are loved.
What are some little ways that you show your children that you are blessed by them, simply for who they are?
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10 Comments
October 29th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Less than 10 minutes ago I put my almost 4 yo little girl to bed. She asked politely “stay 5 minutes, couple minutes” and I love it when she asks. I cuddled with her and being silly I put my head on her chest to hear her heart beat. She is my best friend… she has been my entire world for almost 4 years. Her little brother was born 4 months ago and I never thought I could love anyone as much as my little girl but the little guy just made my heart even bigger.
My little girl has started to love writing so she writes notes all the time. I taught her to write “I love you” and I keep it with me at all times.
Honestly, I am a very lucky person. Have two of the best kids in the world.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:23 am
This made me think about ways to get more creative with showing my kids that they are blessings. Ways beyond the normal hugs, kisses, thumbs up, nicknames, I love you’s, tickles and giving them my time when they want or need it.
I think back to when my mom would put little love notes or my favorite candies in my lunch bag. Those meant the world to me. One of my favorite things my mom did for me and my brother was served us ice cream for dinner. This was during a tough time. Her and my dad were divorcing and it was hard on all of us. One night my mom sent my brother and I downstairs so she could fix dinner. When she called us up for dinner she had three different kinds of ice creams and bowls and bowls of toppings – sprinkles, bananas, candies, chocolate… I swear we dreamed the whole thing.
Because my mom often showed neat ways to show her love for my brother and I, I find myself doing the same for my children. Each year on their birthday I write a letter to them to put in their scrapbooks.
I really do like the idea of writing them little notes and for my little ones drawing them a picture.
I think I’ll sneak down to my sons room and replace his bookmark. =)
Dianna (Apple)
October 29th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I was so blessed to grow up with a mom who put little notes in our lunch sack or stuck them in our suitcase when we went to camp. I have not carried that special touch onto my kids like I wish.
But, I do journal with a few of my kids. We have a blank journal. When they have a question for me or a prayer request, they write it in the journal & leave it on my pillow. I answer them or leave them some encouragement & then put the journal on their pillow. I love it! It has helped so much in our relationship & the way we communicate. They write things they may never be able to say out loud.
The other thing I like to do is write scripture verses or special notes on their bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker. They usually return with a note on my mirror, “Thanks Mom” or “I love you too!”
October 29th, 2009 at 2:33 am
I picked up a little, pink velvet “I Love You” pillow after Valentine’s Day a couple years ago which has a cord on it like a handle. Every once in a while I hang it on the door knob of one of the kids’ rooms so they’ll see it when they get up in the morning. Sometimes it’s in response to something special they did that day; sometimes just because.
But I like the idea of writing notes. Not only are they more specific, but they’re something the kids can hold on to for years. Who knows how long we’ll be here for our little ones? We hope for many decades, but not everyone gets that blessing. This would provide a special, tangible memory, just in case. OK, time to stop being morbid and go hug some kids!
October 29th, 2009 at 3:12 am
I put special notes in my children’s lunches. They might be cute, or lovie dovie, or have gross kid trivia on them…but my girls love it and look forward to them every week they are at my house.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Just a few moments ago, as I was reading your post, my youngest daughter Emily (age 6) came in and asked me to please brush her hair. I started to do the obligatory brushing just to get the tangles out before bed. Then she said, “Momma…could you do it for just one more minute?” I realized at that moment that this was yummy for her, it was a way of loving on her that I hadn’t thought of before. Just like having your back scratched or your feet rubbed….having your hair brushed, and brushed and brushed is so relaxing and delightful. So I turned from the computer, sat in my bed and let her lay her head in my lap. Then I proceeded to brush her hair with a wonderful padded brush, in long, loving strokes…..over and over and over. She was in heaven, and I was able to impart a little bit of my affection to her in a unique and delightful way. Blessings!
October 29th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
What great ideas for both moms and dads–thanks so much for sharing! Recently I was telling my 3yo son as he was falling asleep and had his hands folded under his cheek, “You’re awesome and we love you” and he nodded his head matter-of-factly with a slight smile and said, “I know.” Love the energy you’re putting out there as “tadah mom”–keep up the great work!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Oh,there are so many ways to bless our children!!!
My kids are always blessing me. They are always bringing me cups of tea and goodies. I like to bless them by fixing them a cup of hot cocoa. I love the looks on their faces when I walk up to them with their cup! Haha! It’s fun to be the blessing.
We have a house full of kids! I know that’s an understatement!! I take each one of them individually out to eat and shopping at the junk stores (a.k.a – thrift shops). This is so much fun! Plus, it gives that much needed one on one time.
I add to my gift closet all year long, so there’s always a little something available to pull out and give to someone when I feel the urge.
The list goes on and on…..
Seeing their faces is more than half the fun! I like to sneak up and clean their bedrooms once in awhile. (Although, usually I just have them clean my room since they are already up there cleaning theirs. LOL)
I will sneak around and clean their assigned chores room while they are off doing a school assignment.
This is fun, Terri!
So many ways to be the blessing!
Blessings to you, Terri!!!
~Candy~
October 29th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Oh, Candy – That’s so sweet! When my kids were still pretty young, we’d have “tea” everyday around three. It would actually be hot cocoa with a few cookies or some fruit and cheese. They really liked this daily tradition. I’d use my best tea pot and tried to make it special. Now that they’re older – all grown with families of thier own, I just try to always show them respect as parents to my grandkids, I love their spouses and my sweet grands and try not to give advice unless it is asked for. Most of all, the way I bless them is to pray for them every day. I trust the Lord knows much better what their needs are than I do.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:08 am
I love this post. Thank you for e-mailing me about it! My 6 yr old daughter has always been hard to get to sleep. Early in her life I decided she was uniquely made and we snuggled to get her to sleep. Just tonight I kissed her goodnight and she asked it I would stay. I snuggled beside her as we chatted, she hugged my arm and gently drifted off to dream land. Her love language is touch and she is blessed by me being there….I tell her she is special and I love that she wants me near and night.
We try to encourage our children throughout the day. We have a mail box on the kitchen table. Every morning I leave a note for my girls for them to read at the breakfast table. They in turn lv me notes too!