After I tuck my kids into bed every night, I collapse on the couch, close my eyes, and sigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, with four kids, I get about 2.7 seconds of peace before one of them asks for another drink of water, needs an extra hug, or remembers a month-long school project that’s due tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But after a few turns on the bedtime merry-go-round, I can finally<\/strong> sink back into the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s when the replay of our day starts in my head. It’s like a 10x sped-up video, but every time my mouth opens to say something to my kids, the video slows down so I can hear myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Put your shoes away.” My own personal highlight reel of nagging and negativity, directed at the people I love most<\/strong> in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weight of my words crushes my chest, and my mind scrambles to remember: when did I say something loving, something sweet, anything<\/em> positive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was I so focused on treading water in a neverending sea of parental to-dos – getting snacks, folding laundry, mediating sibling squabbles – that I forgot to tell my children how much<\/strong> I love them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n My kids deserve better. They deserve to hear every single day<\/em> that no matter what road bumps we hit, I feel lucky to be on this lifelong road trip with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus:<\/strong> As a bonus for joining my weekly newsletter, get a free cheat sheet<\/a> of the 75 most powerful positive words for kids, plus three important pitfalls to avoid when it comes to positive things to say to your child.<\/p>\n\n\n
“Your room is a mess!”
“Stop bugging your sister.”
“You haven’t brushed your teeth yet?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n