Back-to-School Duels
Holly prefaced
her email with, "Tears are falling as I write
this, but I need to tell you something. For the
last couple of years my daughter, Allison,
climbed on the school bus each morning wiping
away a flood of tears. I repeatedly exploded
with anger and frustration because Allison was
too slow and disorganized. Our school mornings
were war."
Holly continued, "I heard
you speak about two weeks ago and was stunned
when I learned about the personality information
and how it affects relationships. I read your
book, "Personality Insights for Moms" and
realized that I always expected Allison to act
like I do (fast, organized, and charging out the
door).
"Allison's personality
style, on the other hand, needs plenty of time
to adjust to each new day by waking up
slowly. She requires lots of hugs and
reassurance.
"I actually resented that
because I'm NOT that way. However, after
understanding our personality differences, our
school mornings changed dramatically! I now
know that I'm a 'D' and Allison's an 'S.' I've
been a drill sergeant and she's been crushed!
No wonder our relationship has struggled. I
didn't understand her and she didn't understand
me.
"How could I have been so
hard on her and not understood that it's okay to
be different? This information has changed our
lives! I feel so bad for all our fights and
misunderstandings, but I'm going to make it up
to her from now on."
Holly went on to say, "For
the FIRST TIME EVER, Allison left for school
this morning happy and with a smile on her
face!
"And so this morning, I'm
the one with tears - tears of sadness for all
the happy times we've missed - and tears of joy
for the happiness that we now share. Thank you
so much."
Needless to say, after
reading this email, I too, shed tears. There's
no greater joy then when you impact someone
else's life - in a positive way. And we ALL
possess the opportunity to impact lives - one
way or another.
Do you understand your
children's personality style enough to know why
they do what they do? Are they allowed to feel
accepted for their unique personality style - or
ostracized for being different?
The child you impact may
be at home, school, church, daycare, or in your
neighborhood, but opportunities exist around
every corner to help others feel accepted and
appreciated for who they are - just the way they
are - and to feel understood.
If a child feels being
different is wrong, then he or she may develop
poor self-esteem or lack confidence to pursue
goals and dreams. But when a child feels
understood, a child feels loved.
Do you experience a "war"
in your home each morning before school - as
Holly and Allison did? Do you have a child in
your life (in your classroom) whom you
experience conflict or clash with quite often
because of differing personality styles? Choose
to appreciate your differences and relate to one
another with admiration and respect. Establish
guidelines, systems, and methods for success.
Let your loving smile of
affirmation and acceptance be the last thing you
give your children each day when they head out
the door for school.
Assure your child
that he or she is the "apple" of your eye.
Pencil
Brownies
Questions:
"Keep
me as the apple of your
eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..."
Psalms 17:8.
Need
a speaker? Contact Susan for your next event!
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