This morning I wore the new slippers Mack gave me. Yesterday, after church, I wore the new flip-flops Hoob gave me. Before I leave the house today I will put on the new necklace and earrings Huh gave me. And this afternoon I will “pick a flower” that has a popsicle stick stem and see what chore Yawlin is willing to do for me.
Something that I’ve noticed is that my kids notice when I use and appreciate the gifts they give me. I will always treasure the memory I have of Huh getting a big grin on her face last Christmas break when I put my hand near her nose and said, “Smell how good the lotion you gave me smells.”
A little while ago I purposely wore a “pearler bead” necklace that Yawlin made me last year. It was fun to be running errands with him and have him suddenly say with pride, “You’re wearing the necklace I made you!”
My fingernail polish is housed in a salt dough bowl that Hoob made me a few years ago. A portrait that Mack drew hangs on our magnetic door that leads to the garage. I have three different sets of slippers that I can wear when my feet get cold and lots and lots of homemade jewelry.
One of the best ways to boost a kid’s self-esteem, and an easy way to show your love in return, is to use and appreciate the gifts they give you. So wear that stretched out bracelet. Drink from that lopsided mug. Hang up that colorful picture that makes you look like you are an alien. Eat those runny eggs and the burnt toast with gusto. Gifts were meant to be used, and the love our kids show us needs to be appreciated.
They will notice.
May 11, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I’m proudly wearing my first piece of homemade “mom” jewelry. Best gift ever.
May 12, 2009 at 12:32 am
That’s awesome!
May 12, 2009 at 2:23 am
When Alex was in Sunbeams, he made me a Mother’s Day necklace out of a random assortment of plastic beads. (I have pony beads as well as dolphins, Christmas trees, jungle animals, airplanes, trains and butterflies. It’s quite a sight to behold.)
I wore it proudly that day, and each Mother’s Day I pull it out of my top drawer and wear it just as proudly.
Now that he’s 10, Alex gave me an embarrassed, “Oh, Mom, are you REALLY going to wear that?” comment, followed by a giant smile.
He notices. He appreciates.
I will wear my necklace forever. 🙂
May 12, 2009 at 2:41 am
This is so true and a good reminder for me! Do you mind if I quote your post for my parenting newsletter?
May 12, 2009 at 3:56 am
I LOVED this post!! They will notice 🙂
May 12, 2009 at 4:51 am
I proudly put up my homemade cards that the boys made me at school.
May 12, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This is just wonderful. You know, I’ve hung on to things for so long. I still have wonderful gifts my boys made me. Two Christmas tree ornaments are among my favorite for the tree and I LOVE them and I know they do notice. My granddaughter makes me things now and when I wear the “jewelry” she makes, it makes her so proud and I do wear them often. She made me the cutest bracelet for Mother’s Day and that too, I shall wear proudly.
I may take this idea for my blog if that’s okay with you and I’ll link it back here. One thing I really love is that they both had the same 1st grade teacher so I have a “pair” of a couple of things I love. It would be neat to post pics of them. You are a wonder to me.
May 12, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Perler beads are the bomb! My kids got one of those massive buckets full of beads, so the creativity, and ironing, never ends.
Happy Mother’s Day, even though it’s Tuesday, and isn’t every day Mother’s Day . . . ?
May 13, 2009 at 1:03 am
This made me laugh. E gave me a handknit dishcloth that he got at school from his teacher. He knew I knit my mom dishclothes for Christmas, and thought I would love it. I do. 🙂
May 14, 2009 at 12:15 am
I also enjoyed this post. Imani makes beaded neclaces and bracelets for me all the time. I would always say thank you and put them on my dresser.
One morning she was in my bedroom watching me put on some lip gloss when she asked if I was going to wear the necaklace she made for me.
She noticed that I didn’t wear the pieces she made for me but I would wear other jewelry.
She told me off with out really doing so.
We got her a bead set for Christmas and I showed her how to match colors together. She loves this.
So I totally agree…they do notice!
May 16, 2009 at 8:48 pm
You know, some of my favorite gifts are the ones that are “homemade.” I love all of the things that Nicholas has made for me over the years. I wore the cross he made me until it broke in half. I just burst with pride at his craftsmanship!