Home→Forums→Parenting→Ignoring my children; I think it happened to me and how to stop?→Reply To: Ignoring my children; I think it happened to me and how to stop?
Hello Friend…I can hardly touch on what Anita has offered. What she offers, what I see anyway, is a door is opened, a door that when you walk through it will give you ways to see things in a more gentle, loving way. I remember a time when I was in the Navy, just before my daughter was born. I told a Navy buddy of mine, “Troy I’m going to be a good father to her.” He threw me a curve ball that I didn’t expect, and asked me, “How do you know? You have never been a father before.” For some reason, I did not hesitate to answer. I said, “Troy, I’m going to do the opposite my father did. And if that requires me to revisit painful experiences as a vehicle to make good decisions, then I’ll gladly go there.” I have no idea where that answer came from, but, it works. (Incidentally, without going into details, it wasn’t until much later that I learned that who I thought was my father, wasn’t.) My daughter has been gone, off to college, enjoying her life. But before this I DID revisit painful experiences so that I can exercise what I know is right. You’re children need love. ESPECIALLY now. They are imprinting right now. They have been and will continue to do so for quite some time. I guess my point is, knowing this, give them love to imprint. Give them an example they will honor, cherish, love, and pass on to their children. They do not deserve anger and hostility. They deserve your love.