One of the greatest gifts you can give your child isn’t something you buy at the store. It’s the words you speak.
Encouraging statements such as, “I’m proud of you,” “You can do it,” and “Great job!” are powerful building blocks for your child’s identity. Even the smallest encouragement can tip your child’s heart toward confidence and hope instead of fear and despair.
Even better, children store positivity in their hearts like money in a savings account. Later, when life gets challenging – when they face rejection, fail, or they’re tempted to believe they’re not good enough – they’ll draw upon your encouragement and find the strength they need to push forward.
Unfortunately, many parents underestimate the power of their words. They don’t realize that encouragement is a form of currency. It’s like reaching into your pocket and handing your child a hundred dollar bill. You can’t see a transaction take place when you speak positive words, but your child is receiving something of immense value from you.
To deepen your understanding of how gracious words can draw your children into a meaningful relationship with you, I’ve invited author Dr. William Smith to join me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly.
He’s the author of the book Parenting with Words of Grace: Building Relationships with Your Children One Conversation at a Time.
Ask yourself every day, “What currency am I depositing into my child’s emotional bank? Things that tear them down? Or things that build them up?” Shower your child with encouragement, praise, and words of blessing. It’ll deepen their confidence today and enrich their lives long after your parenting is over.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” The words you speak to your children can draw them closer to you by communicating that you (and their Heavenly Father) are gentle, kind, and trustworthy.
While you’re online, try our free parenting assessment. It will quickly give you an overview of how your family is doing in several key areas. It also offers suggestions for improving the relationships in your home.