As a mom, there are priceless moments that happen every day…. but some certainly stick out more than others. In the month of February, where we celebrate love and relationships, a priceless moment that comes up to mind is when I realized my daughter would laugh when my husband and I kiss.
This is how it happened….I was in the kitchen while my daughter was having lunch, and my husband and I kissed. We noticed that our daughter's eyes lit up and she smiled. We continued to give each other small pecks on the lips to test whether she would smile again, and she busted out in laughter. Mind you, she was about 11-1/2 months old when this happened. That was a quick lesson that showed me that maintaining romance with my husband was not only important to remain close to each other, but it is also something that made my daughter happy. Thinking about the well-being of your children is partly considering the well-being of your relationship with your significant other and friends.
Children learn about the world in two different ways: By having conversations, and by copying their role models’ behaviors. What does this mean when it comes to love? If you want your child to learn how to have healthy and meaningful relationships, it is important to talk to them about what that means, and also, lead by example.
Here are some tips on how to do this:
Depending on the age of your child, talking about what a healthy relationship is, is very important. Have conversations about what love is and what it consists of. Keep in mind topics such as boundaries, respect, cooperation, and spending quality time with your loved ones. Provide real life and realistic examples. Make sure to include these topics as significant factors in both friendships and dating.
Build your life surrounded by healthy relationships. This means that your relationship with your significant other should look like the relationship you want your daughter or son to have in the future. If you want your daughter to learn how to pick a “good man” to marry or a “good wife” for your son, she and he should see positive examples at home. This means having healthy boundaries, regular manifestations of love, respect, cooperation, and spending a healthy amount of quality time together.
This transpires to your friendships as well. Surround yourself with supportive friends that are present in times to celebrate achievements and significant events of your life. Nurture friendships that can communicate effectively and add emotional joy to your life. Slowly turn down people that bring “drama” and anguish.
Celebrations of love, like Valentine’s Day, remind us that as individuals we value relationships. Today, I invite you to not only nurture your romantic relationships because it feels good and makes you happy, but also because you will be providing a valuable lesson to your children. Imagine the ripple effect of this for generations to come!
To Your Family Success!
Your Therapy Friend,
Sofia
Sofia Robirosa is the owner of Infinite Therapeutic Services and is a Relationships & Parenting Expert. She offers individual, couples, and family counseling to individuals seeking to enhance their relationships. Her private practice is located in Plantation, FL. She attended Nova Southeastern University for both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and in Business Administration. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Leader in Active Parenting for children and teens, an evidenced based program. She is also a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She is a passionately committed therapist, who thoroughly takes pride and joy from her job. She enjoys working with a culturally diverse population and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and an active volunteer of the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She loves her family, which consists of her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Some of her interests outside of work include spending time outdoors, traveling, and dining. Read more about her at: www.infinitetherapeuticservices.com and follow her on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/infinitetherapy/
Check out this blog @ www.localmomscoop.com
Comments