I have always admired and respected you, Tammy, and your post brought me to tears. Your children are very lucky to have you as their mom, and I know you are equally as lucky to have such special children. You treat your children as I was always treated by my mom, and that love has sustained me and given me my own moral foundation, even though she passed away just before my twentieth birthday. If I had my own children, I think I'd be similar to you, and it's also the way I try to treat my high school "kids" at work. It's not a strategy of mine, but it's just the bond that forms between us. There are consequences for their behavior, but they know that no matter how they might try to push me away if they have problems, I'm always going to be there for them and also that I love them. It makes such a huge difference, not only in our relationships, my ability to teach them, and also in their self-esteems. You can get so much further when opening up your heart and showing people love and understanding, and that goes for children, as well. |