embracing our children

Now and then, we get frustrated and upset with our kids over every small thing, striving for them to be perfect. However, this article is to help us embrace our kids’ shortcomings and flaws and love them for who they are. When our children came into this world, they brought their own personalities and genes. As parents, we must recognize that if our kids are a little different from us, it’s okay. Instead of getting upset and frustrated with their personality differences, we need to learn to recognize and accept them. As a parent, you can't expect your kids to be exactly the way you want them to be. They can't be little cookie-cutter or cloned versions of you. If your child has different personality traits from yours, learn to acknowledge and accept it.

My children are just 14 and 11, and I love the fact that they are a combination of my husband and me, mixed with the influence of their environment. Instead of viewing a child's personality trait as a negative (socially awkward, shy, not friendly, too quiet), learn to accept them for who they are. Every trait that might seem negative from your perspective isn't that bad after all. In the end, if we accept them as tiny human beings with a unique set of traits and avoid placing judgment, we would all be better parents. For example, if your child is shy right now, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will always be like that. Some kids go through phases.

As parents, once you realize that spending all your time trying to control your child into being what you want them to be will make you miss out on the moments that make them truly unique. Hug and kiss your kids every day and remember they came into this world as unique individuals who may be different from us or a reflection of us. Regardless, let’s embrace and love them, and control and criticize less.