The Hidden Influence: Spending Time With Your Child(ren)

Updated: May 28

The Resilient Mum and her daughter standing opposite each other.

As my daughter and I drove home from one of her classes three weeks ago, she said something to me that I will never forget.

What she said was simply wonderful, she made a comment about how proud she is of me for doing all that I do. She then proceeded to say how happy she was sharing some other beautiful thoughts and comments.

I made a vow to God and my daughter before my daughter was born. This vow was that I would always do my upmost best by her.

Has it been easy? No!

Has it been worth it? YES!

What we do for our children matters. The hidden influence of spending time with your child(ren) matters. It does not matter how much money you have, it does not matter about the amount of toys you can buy them or the latest brands, what matters is the time you spend with them. The way you make them feel. The effort you pour in. The time invested in things they enjoy and love. Your belief and trust in God for things to work out because they will. Your words of affirmation over them. Your prayers sent up to heaven on their behalf.

None of us will ever be perfect parents. I have always said this on my platforms - the perfect mother, the perfect father and the perfect parent - DOES NOT EXIST!

My reason for sharing this with you is to encourage you to know that the very little you can do for your child(ren) matters. The hugs, the love shown, the encouragement and the time you spend with them will matter to them more than any material possession.

When my daughter was younger I was convinced that she needed the latest Peppa Pig toy! She loved Peppa Pig so much, (thank God times have changed because I cannot tell you how much I wanted Peppa Pig’s mother to give her a time-out (or thinking time as I call it) for her attitude or behaviour!) Alas, I quickly learnt that my daughter could sit and play with paper crafts we made together as long as it meant we spent time together. As a first time mother that was revolutionary for me as silly as it may sound. Naturally we did spend a lot of time together and even now we continue to spend a lot of time together, but learning that children are content with the little things changed my whole perspective.

I encourage you to go on that trip with your child(ren).

Take your child(ren) out to the park.

Have a nice picnic with your child(ren).

Attend their performances/plays/extracurricular activities.

Those seemingly small things, matter more than you may ever know.

Your presence is what matters to them. You being actively involved, you being there, you wanting to spend time with them and by you showing up, you tell them that you love them and you care for them. Your support helps to motivate them in their special little world. Your support will one day push them to excel in every thing that God desires for them to do and I pray that as they excel, they will remember that their Mother prayed for them. Their Mother was present. Their Mother went above and beyond to provide for them and in everything, God never took His hands off of you or them.

Whatever it is that your child(ren) do and like, find the time to spend time with them doing what they love. They will thank you because it truly matters. Mama, all along you have been the hidden, positive motivating force within their life and partnering with our Heavenly Father to raise your child(ren) was the best decision you will ever make. I am proud of you.