Often we look back at the big moments in our children’s lives and recall their significance.
We see moments where they took their first step, where they celebrated their first birthday, or where they reached some other important milestone.
Today’s guest on the Mothers Central Blog reminds us to remember the little things – the smaller moments within our day-to-day activities – because often it is these little things which help most to mold our children towards being good, knowing good and ultimately doing good.
Please help me in welcoming Jennifer Hadden, a member of the Bexley Mothers’ Center in Bexley, Ohio. Jennifer is mother to Harry (4) and Bruce (2), and wife to JB.
Along with helping the Bexley Mothers’ Center by serving on their membership committee, Jennifer also finds time to: act as the secretary for the Columbus Metropolitan Library Friends of the Library program, volunteer with the St. Catharine Preschool, and fulfill her duties as a sustainer with the Junior League of Columbus.
Professionally, Jennifer is a licensed social worker and earned her BBA from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame and her MSW from The Ohio State University.
We are proud to introduce you below to Jennifer’s Valentine’s Day letter of love to her 2 sons.
Jennifer with her husband JB and their two sons Harry and Bruce.
My dearest Harry and Bruce,
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is yet another day to celebrate all the reasons I love you.
Be good. Know good. Do good. My great aunt, Sister Mary Medard, used to say this to me and I’m quite fond of these directions that can be so powerful. I hope these simple words may guide you as you grow - in creativity, love and learning.
Your imaginations never cease to amaze me. Harry, the way you took our nativity set this past Christmas and loaded everyone into your John Deere pickup truck was hysterical. I’m glad Mary was driving and baby Jesus had a safe spot in the back seat. Perhaps this is your take on “treat others as you’d like to be treated.”
When you wake me at 3:30 a.m. requesting that I tuck you in again, I will happily do it - no matter how old you are and how tired I am. Maybe you’ll be so kind as to tuck me in someday.
You guys are getting the hang of this manners thing too. Harry, I’m so touched when you initiate grace before meals. Bruce, I love to hear you speak “pwease” and “sank you.” It’s also okay that you say “sorry” when you bump your own head. You’ll get it soon enough.
And Bruce, when you cry “mama, mama, mama” - all while clutching my leg - I will gladly pick you up and console you. I hope you learn the ability to console for it can do wonders for you too.
When you unexpectedly run down the hallway clenching the Cloud B Twilight Turtle enunciating, “I. Got. Tur-tul.”, (was he trying to get away?) you provide some entertainment to liven up our home.
Reading The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog (among other titles) over and over is so amusing. The way you guys laugh hysterically at Pigeon’s rants is too funny. I hope you get this excited over reading for a long, long time.
Above all, know that your father and I are so very proud of you.
Our wish for you is to be content.
And be good, know good and do good.
Love always,
Mama
Leave a Comment: What are some of the smaller, day-to-day moments which in hindsight might be helping to build your child’s character? Please help me in welcoming Jennifer to the Mothers Central Blog by leaving her a comment and sharing her letter with others.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite “smaller moment” in parenthood is when my toddler plays independently by my side. Sometimes it seems as if just knowing that I am there is enough to keep him happy. Don’t get me wrong - I love playing on the floor with him too… driving his trucks into car washes and building batman castles from blocks! But, I also love knowing that he is building his independence on occasion. Learning independence for themselves can be tricky. (Especially when as a parent it can be so hard to let them grow!)
Thanks so much for your letter and also for sharing the wonderful words of wisdom from you Great Aunt!
Thanks for sharing, Kate!
Five minutes before reading this, I was on the phone with my son, who is now 21 and a senior at the University of Delaware. He called just to say “Happy Valentine’s Day to my Valentine”. It’s true - he does not have a girlfriend - but I like to think that even when he’s married, with a family of his own, I’ll still have a special place in his heart. Mothering, parenting - it’s like years of seed-planting. Modeling what you want your children to become (for me, it’s always been kind, compassionate people with integrity and a zest for life), and teaching them those bits of wisdom that that will slowly become a part of them. Even at this stage, with my youngest being 15, I am happiest when my family of 5 is together, and I can gaze upon each of them, knowing that this is the greatest success of my life.
How sweet!
What a wonderful post! So many good things in it..humor love, insight, good advice, awareness,and a great writing style. Thank you!
Lorri Slepian
Thank you, Lorri!
I see them growingup to be kind, courteous, and curious young men because you are teaching them the life skills they will need to survive and the emotional intelligence to thrive.
Well done,
Julie
Thank you, Julie!