You know that old saying, “You are what you eat…”
We know that is true…though weird to think about…
I believe however that we are what we expect and what is expected of us…
There was never a time in my life when I didn’t expect to do well…
Or to live well…
And equally as important there has never been a time…
When my loved ones didn’t expect me to do well either…
The same is true for my children…
My expectation was always that they would do well…
Even when wavering and wanting to play when work was needed…
The expectations and the reinforcements were the same…
So many people ask me today…
“Why aren’t you a grandmother?” or "Why aren't your boys in trouble?"
Unfortunately it seems that in our world today when a Black woman…
Passes forty and she has kids over eighteen, she is supposed to be a granny…
I have a simple answer for them…
“My kids aren’t married, they are still trying to get places and there is plenty of time for that.”
Then the question becomes…
“How did you stop them, in today’s world?”
I tell them it was expectations…
I expected them to attend school…
I expected them to do reasonably well…
I expected them to listen to the advice their dad and I provided…
And the examples we set…
I expected them to be respectful…
I didn’t expect them to become statistics…
Teenaged fathers…
Incarcerated….
Or riddled with bad choices that are seemingly impossible to overcome…
I expected them to do well…
And to live will…
And they had expectations of their own…
angelia
7 comments:
There is definitely something to be said for the power of positive thinking.
Gwyneth
Amen, and positive expecting...
blessings...
angelia
Positive words=Powerful results
I expect greatness of myself and my children. Even if it is simply reading five pages a day, which takes anywhere from one to two hours for one of my children. He suffers from ADHD. That is a hurdle in his path of success, so I set goals and he strives for them. I know what he is capable of doing and I am waiting for him to see it as well. He will one day because it is what I expect of him. Positive thinking and positive reinforcement, brings forth a powerful successful individual.
Yes it does, keep up the good work, parenting is the hardest, yet most gratifying thing you will ever do...
Love...
angelia
Great insight!
Being the mother of a teenage daughter and young sons, I have learned that this is the TRUTH!
However, it's hard when a teen, such as my daughter, doesn't understand...even when I explain it to her...
That is my challenge...
I expect great things from my children and I understand that this can only come from example and consistency.
Thanks for this today...I needed some mommy encouragement
stay peace
genesis
Bless You...
love and blessings...
angelia
this post is the QUINTESSENTIAL TRUTH! Sadly, too many children have no one in their lives who expect ANYthing from them...i just keep praying! that's what i loved most about teaching...this dynamic w/ children when I challenge them by "daring" them to be their best!
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