Just Listen: What Our Kids Are Trying to Teach Us
Sometimes the best lessons in life come from the smallest voices — the ones sitting in the backseat, the ones walking through the kitchen with their backpack on, or the ones texting you late at night when you least expect it. Our kids are always teaching us something — if we’d just slow down long enough to listen.
Put the devices down. Turn off the noise. Read the letters they write, the texts they send, and the subtle ways they reach out. When we set our phones aside, we’re showing our children — and our families — that they matter more than a screen ever will. It demonstrates that they hold importance in our lives, not just as a task or routine, but as people worth our full attention. It also reminds everyone that there’s more to the world than what we Google or scroll past on social media. Stepping away from the screen is like stepping back into life — a reminder to get out and smell the roses. There’s a time for screen time and a time for family time. Show them the difference, and you’ll find it helps you as a parent, too.
As parents, it’s our job to be attentive — not overbearing, but aware. Being attentive is more than just hearing their words; it’s showing them how parenting really works. When we model patience, compassion, and self-control, we teach them by example what it means to lead with love. Our children are always watching how we respond, and the way we handle life’s moments becomes their blueprint for how they’ll one day handle their own.
Consistency is another key piece. Kids — young and old — thrive on it. When we show up the same way every day, it helps them feel secure and shapes them into adults who see the world with a positive, steady outlook. They learn that effort pays off, that boundaries matter, and that love isn’t based on perfection — it’s based on presence.
And yes, it’s okay to tell them “no.” In fact, it’s necessary. Learning to accept “no” builds coping skills they’ll need for real life — where rejection, disappointment, and challenge are unavoidable. If we give in to every demand or try to protect them from every uncomfortable moment, we rob them of the chance to grow resilience. Kids who never hear “no” may come to expect it all — or worse, develop unhealthy ways to get their way because they never learned how to handle not getting it.
So take the time. Listen. Be consistent. Say “no” when you need to. Put the phone down. Because one day, you’ll realize the lessons you thought you were teaching them — they were quietly teaching you all along.