How teaching our children good habits became a lesson of pure gratitude for my husband and me.

Hello MindFull Readers,

As we journey through life, it's important to pause and reflect on the simple yet profound moments that remind us of the beauty around us. Today, I want to share with you a story from my own experience as a parent, highlighting the invaluable lessons we can learn from our children or even from other people’s children around us, about gratitude and the purity of the heart.

Recently, my husband and I embarked on a mission to instill good habits in our children, particularly focusing on the importance of oral hygiene. We introduced a progress chart for brushing teeth, with a reward system in place to encourage consistency. Little did we know that this simple act would lead us to an amazing moment of gratitude.

Our youngest daughter, whom I fondly refer to as Small A, was the first to complete her goal of brushing her teeth diligently and well 30 times within the given timeframe. Her chosen reward? A "Flower Adventure" at the Botanic Gardens. I drew glittery flowers on their faces before we embarked on a journey filled with wonder and more flowers.

For five hours straight, we wandered through the gardens, with Small A capturing the beauty of each flower through our phone camera. As our adventure was slowly coming to an end, something remarkable happened. Small A, with a huge beaming smile, approached us and expressed her gratitude in the purest form saying this: “Thank you so much for the adventure! I loved it and it was so fun!”. Her heartfelt thanks for the simple yet magical experience, and mind you an activity she earned through working hard on her brushing teeth skills, touched our hearts deeply.

In that moment, I couldn't help but reflect on the inherent goodness and innocence of children. Despite earning the reward through her efforts, Small A's gratitude transcended mere appreciation. It served as a strong reminder of the importance of preserving and nurturing the purity within us, especially amidst the chaos of the world around us.

As I continue on my journey as a parent and life coach, I am constantly reminded of the wisdom that children possess. Their ability to embrace life with gratitude and wonder is a lesson for us all. Let’s embrace the goodness within ourselves and cultivate gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us each day.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you, my cherished readers, for accompanying me on this journey. Your presence, as you engage with my newsletters and join me on this occasionally tumultuous adventure, fills me with immense appreciation. I am deeply thankful for the wonders of technology, which have facilitated our connection across the vast expanse of this world, allowing us to build a community rooted in love and mutual support.

With warmth and mindfulness,

Michelle Lim | Founder of The MindFull Parent | Reparenting Life Coach

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