HOW TO BUILD CHARACTER THROUGH CHILDHOOD TOYS

Besides being a faithful servant of God, being Charlotte's mommy is the most important of the jobs I have. Ensuring that we raise her to be a woman of faith, love, and character, my husband and I do our best with what and how we expose her to pretty much everything knowing that society will constantly be in battle with us. Charlotte has shown an immense amount of compassion and consideration for others and I truly believe that a large portion of this comes from our teaching with her through her baby dolls. In our house we treat them along with her stuffed animals as if they are living things and do so because we feel that the purpose behind them is exactly for that purpose- teaching young ones how we would treat a real life baby or animal- with love and consideration.

Our jobs as caretakers is tough, we hold such a high responsibility of taking care of and raising a human being, and we must watch how we respond to the ways our children are applying these lessons we want them to learn. For example, when Charlotte expressed concern for her baby doll not having the appropriate clothes on for the weather, concerned that she was going to be too cold and end up sick (things she has heard me say in regards to her). Should I respond by telling her "Charlotte, it's just a doll she is fine..." or recognize that this is a moment of her applying consideration for others. Yes, it's a doll to me, but to her it's her "sister" or "friend" it's a "person." How did I respond you wonder? I pulled out an extra baby blanket and showed her how to swaddle, her response- "Annabelle happy!". Likewise, when Charlotte gets frustrated and throws her doll or stuffed animal, not only do we address the aspect that we do not throw anything when we are frustrated and re-direct her to what we feel are more appropriate ways to express frustration, but we also teach her how we don't throw babies or animals.

Now I'm not saying if you don't respond the same way you're wrong, but rather sharing an example to support my point that as parents we have to be aware and observant. How are we being intentional in our parenting? Are we aware of how our children choosing to apply the lessons we teach them? And how are we choosing to respond?

Live in Manhattan Kansas or the surrounding area and want me to capture portraits of your little one? contact me here