Security in Family

Security is essential. It’s what allows us to grow, risk, learn, discover who we are, be honest with others, establish healthy relationships, discover our purpose, develop competencies, contribute to others, believe in unconditional love, and so much more.

What does security depend upon? What causes it? Consistency, dependability, honesty, being valued, truth, apologies, forgiveness, unconditional love, and so much more. Notice – it’s a person‘s character that builds trustworthiness.

Of course children who have security in their parents are better off than those without this foundational security. Do your children know they can trust you? What makes you think so?

Look at what I observed the last two weeks at homeschool conferences. The evidence of security between parents and children was all around me and was deeply encouraging.

Security’s Evidence

• Dads held daughters’ hands as they walked around the exhibit hall.
• Moms held boys’ hands as they skipped from one workshop room to another.
• Husbands and wives poured over conference notes together, sharing insights into how to better meet their kids’ needs.
• Moms and dads comforted sad children.
• Parents waited in line to ask various experts questions and they listened for truth.
• Crying babies were held, rocked, and soothed.
• Brothers and sisters being encouraged to quietly play together.
• Parents told their children they knew they were tired rather than yelling at them when they were tired.
• Brothers and sisters held hands, took turns pushing strollers, and walked close to their parents.
• Parents bent down to carefully answer children’s questions.
• Parents had appropriate toys and books with them to occupy children when they needed to sit and listen or wait in long lines.
• Parents encouraged children to interact with experts, believing they could understand and benefit from the conversations.
• Children who were upset or whiny were comforted by parents who scooped them up or bent down to get on their level.
• Children were quickly obedient.
• Moms and dads took children to different curriculum provider’s booths to ask for their opinion about different options.
• Parents’ eye contact, body language, and activities “told” children they were their parents’ priority.
• Moms and dads holding hands in front of their children.
• Families laughing together.

My staff and I love exhibiting and speaking at homeschool conventions and this list of observations explains why. It’s so encouraging to observe beautiful families being beautiful together.

I hope this list encourages you and inspires you. What can you do now so your children develop greater security in you? Don’t wait. Do something now.