I have a bit of a stubborn streak.
It can be great if I’m working on something by myself.
BUT as a mom, it’s backfired A LOT.
For years I was stubborn and didn’t get why my kids wouldn’t listen to me and why they didn’t understand that…
👉 Dishes needed to be done before going to bed.
👉 Beds need to be made every morning.
👉 Laundry needed to be folded and put away on the same day.
👉 Toys should always be put up when I decided it needed to get done.
Being stubborn can make it HARD TO LISTEN TO OTHERS.
I used to like thinking I was right and in control.
I liked thinking I knew what was best.
This led me to mess things up and missing what was going on with my kids.
So I started asking myself questions like…
How can I be strong and certain AND listen and hear my kids?
What would it take to really see and hear my kids?
How can I have an opinion AND change my mind without looking weak?
How can I be firm AND compassionate?
The answers to these questions have taught me a LOT!
They’ve also brought up LOTS of uncomfortable emotions!
Over the years I’ve had to look at parts of me I don’t like.
UGH.
I don’t want this to be the case with me.
I want to be more aware, careful, and open to listening better and seeing my kids.
Thank goodness it’s gotten easier over the years.
I’m constantly asking myself…
👉 What don’t I know yet?
👉 How can I see and hear others better?
I hear the responses and then I act.
I’ve discovered that listening to another person is the most sacred gift we could ever give them.
Learning how to listen is 100% worth giving up my stubborn streak.
My goal is to graduate this life with a 👩🎓 Ph.D. in LISTENING.
What about you?
Where do you need to be less certain and more open to listening?
xoxo, Andee ❤️❤️❤️❤️
