Every week we talk about principles, and we discuss examples from real-life situations where we apply those principles. Occasionally we need to hear about how the applications can turn out—the rest of the story, as it were, the successes.
A Real Mother and Son
I know a mother who had been practicing Real Love for months. Initially her children vigorously resisted, which is common when people are asked or required to make changes to circumstances that have been familiar to them for a long time.
But Mom DID NOT QUIT. She continued to love and teach regardless of how the children complained or manipulated.
Persistence is critical. If we quit loving and teaching when our children don’t like it, or when they don’t like US, we can’t help them. They end up raising themselves, and that simply doesn’t turn out well.
The Successes of the Parent Training
After Christmas, Mom’s twelve-year-old son, Ron, wrote the following to his mother, without being assigned to do it:
“This year our main gift wasn’t a toy or presents. This year we got something much more valuable than a toy. We got the gift of being truly happy. We are being taught how to be loved, be loving, and be responsible. You have been teaching us as best you can, and I can see the changes that come from being unconditionally loved.
“Getting every toy you wish for doesn’t make you happy. What makes you truly happy is the three pillars of happiness: loved, loving, and responsible.
"We also got to experience the joy of giving to people less fortunate through the XX foundation. It has been a year of learning and change, and I am getting better and better at this.
“Example: Before doing Real Love I would complain about almost everything, and I wouldn’t even clean up my own messes. But recently when I was given the job of getting up early and making breakfast for the whole family for a week, I did it without any complaining. I got up an hour and a half early every day, made the batter and other stuff, and cleaned up after myself. I like being this way.”
You Can Have Success too
What would any parent give to hear words like that from a previously unhappy and irresponsible child? What would you give?
If the mother in this story can get through to her child, the likelihood is very high that you can too. Just keep going. Keep loving and teaching. Keep learning. Study the Parenting Training.
Read, view, and participate in the three Parenting Supports that come to you every week. Miracles happen, and usually they require our active participation in them.
