PARENTING July 14, 2008 Issue

'SPEAK GENTLY'

LORI ANN JAKUC

I OFTEN CRINGE when I hear parents speaking harshly to their children. So I was certainly surprised when I found myself doing the very thing I so dislike.

My five-year-old, Zander, had begun speaking back to me—often with an obnoxious tone in his voice. I was uncomfortable when we were in public and he spoke to me like that—and I knew that I needed to find my peace about this. Then, after several instances of this occurring, I realized that some of what he was saying was in fact a repetition of what I had said to him! It was a harsh reality to me to find that I often spoke to my son in a hurried, demanding way—and not always with the kindest words.

I trust God with all aspects of my life, so I decided to pray about this. I remembered that in Science and Health, children are described as "the spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love" (p. 582). Not only was my son a child of God, but so was I. We were both expressions of divine Love. Since we all have a direct link to God, our true Father/Mother, we always express His/Her divine qualities. I understood that therefore parents and children didn't have to go through stages to reach harmonious relationships.

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