grandma's Valentine's Challenge - Speak Love to the Ones We Love

Valentine's Day is just four weeks from today; which makes today the perfect day to begin my "grandma's Valentine's Challenge". What is my  "grandma's Valentine's Challenge", you ask? Well, since one of a grandma's (and grandpa's) primary "responsibilities" is to give unconditional love to our grandchildren and since we know studies show the way a grandparent sees their grandchild is often the way the grandchild will end up seeing themselves; I want to take four weeks, one month, to focus upon speaking and showing love to my grandsons and invite you to join me in doing the same with the children you love as well.

Studies repeatedly show if adults use negative, angry words with children it often results in children becoming angry and exhibiting behavior problems. However; if adults use kind and positive words with children - especially when they are acting out - children learn to make wise choices and see themselves in a positive way.

We all know negative words have a powerful impact upon children. They believe what we say. If we use negative words to describe the children we love, they will see themselves - and live up, or down as the case may be, to the words we used.

But, when we use positive words; words which build children up, words which communicate how they are dearly loved and we see them as gifts from the hand of God, children take this view of themselves.

How do you want the children you love to see themselves? Do you want the children you love to learn how to make wise choices and respond to stress and disappointment in calm ways? If so, choose your words wisely and carefully.

Most importantly, do you want the children you love to know you love them and God loves them even more? If so, again, choose your words wisely and carefully.

So, for the coming week my grandma's Valentine's Challenge is for us to Speak Love to the Ones We Love! This is easy to do when our grandchildren are obeying and more challenging to do when they are not, but commit to be someone who Speaks Love to the Ones We Love - regardless of if they are behaving in a lovely way or not.

If your grandchildren live near, make a point to connect in person at least once or twice in the coming week to Speak Love to them. If they live far, call them at least once or twice - facetime if you are able to do so - and Speak Love to them. Use snail mail to mail a message of love to your grandchildren at least once and fill in the remaining days with a facebook message of love to your grandchildren - if they are young, send your message to their parents and ask them to share it with your grandchildren.

This week consider joining me to commit to Speak Love to the Ones We Love (this works if you are a parent, too, as you may choose to Speak Love to Your Children!)