By Kat Kronenberg
Keep It Simple Stup—Ha!
We’ve all heard the saying. But as a new parent who had never really
changed a diaper before, I needed help when I brought my first born
home. I was a seeker, a willing student, but I also had huge time
constraints—work, marriage, running a household, and most importantly my
precious baby who could do nothing for himself, yet he was now in my
complete care.
K.I.S.S. became my motto: “Keep It Simple Seeker.” It helped keep the
overwhelming feelings away as I sought out mentors, teachers who were
amazing examples, books, blogs, and articles.
Here are two powerful
bullseyes for parents like me who need clear and concise ways to raise
successful, happy, and confident children.
1.SET AN EXAMPLE
The first bullseye is to
set an example. Our kids watch every move we make. They learn how to
relate to the world through us. The most rewarding, all encompassing,
and effective way to teach our kids is through our example, and the most
fulfilling example we found was what we like to call “catching
CATCH-M.” “Catching CATCH-M” is to radiate a BIG BELLY SMILE that comes
all the way up from your belly through your chest, and shines from your
face a connection to and belief in yourself, in your dreams, and in
something bigger—God, faith, hope, or your wished-upon star that is out
there watching over you and guiding you.
I realized after watching
different parents, my mentors, and some great teachers that the way
they were able to achieve these beautiful, radiant, and contagious
smiles was by knowing who they are, their fears, their pain, their joys,
their gifts, why they are here, what their dreams might be, and how
they plan to achieve them. They weren’t even that concerned with the
outcome because they were challenging themselves, learning new things,
meeting new people, growing, evolving. They were celebrating their life.
No wonder I kept looking to them to figure out how best to parent. What
a great way to live. No need to compare. No concern for naysayers. No
real stress. What an example to set, and life skill for my children to
learn.
Chasing a dream is a
great adventure. The thrill, challenge, and utter vulnerability of
daring to get in the arena of life and to have my face married with dust
and sweat, while keeping a BIG BELLY SMILE and trust, has become a
valuable gift. To watch my kids’ faces as they see me chase after my
dreams, while consciously choosing to “catch CATCH-M”, makes whatever
the outcome a huge success. They see me succeed, fail, and they even
help me get back in the arena to keep trying. “WE” become our own little
team, helping each other. And as we do, we learn that our BIG BELLY
SMILES have a way of being contagious. They allow for the freedom and
fun of hard work with lasting memories as we chase our dreams together.
They create meaningful connection, and they help each one of us to
remember to celebrate as we share in living our best lives.
2. SET A GOAL
The second bullseye is to
set goals. The single most important goal we found is to take the time
to share a BIG BELLY SMILE with our kids everyday. My motto is “No
matter what kind of day you have had, hardship or heartache, you can
always find the best part.”
At the dinner table, in
the car, at bedtime, share your best parts while consciously “catching
CATCH-M” together. Focus in on, laugh, and celebrate each of your
stories. A shared smile has more power than almost anything I know. It
can change your mood, the energy in a room. It makes a powerful
connection and makes memories. It brings freedom, fun, hope, and peace.
The list is endless.
Learning how to wake up each day and set goals has taught me as a
mother and a dreamer that I have something to look forward to, to strive
for. I don’t need to stand in my own shadows, feeling alone, confused,
or purposeless. I know I have at least one goal each day I have to
achieve: a BIG BELLY SMILE. This makes setting other goals easier and
actually exciting to achieve. I have to believe these same truths hold
true for my own children.
Obviously, you can see
that a smile has become my most important “go to” as a parent. It has
been the best tool to use especially if I don't know what else to do.
I’ve even learned that a small smirk works. To smirk at myself when I
make a mistake, fail, or am just plain moody in front of my kids. It
allows each of us to be human with a light, honest, yet vulnerable way
to connect that keeps us out of shame and perfectionism.
I cannot think of a
better way to try to spend time with my children. Think about the
example you want to set and the goals you hope to achieve, and as you do
let’s all keep striving to “catch CATCH-M” together!
Kat Kronenberg is a debut children’s book author living in Austin, Texas. As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, her hope and dream is
that through reading we can encourage one another other to “follow our
bliss,” stay in the arena fighting for our dreams, and allow joy and
fulfillment to be our internal GPS. In addition to spreading her message through her children’s book Dream Big,
she also provides interactive games that promote abundance thinking,
Common Core aligned discussion and project guides, and free downloadable
activity sheets at www.katkronenberg.com.
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