The Love Cup

Given all the love in the air I thought it might be fitting to share a parenting tip/goal that Anna's teacher passed along to me. Anna was in her third month or so of kindergarten and the newness and excitement was beginning to wear off. She had been a little teary and extra attached to me.

I don't know about you, if you're a parent or a sister or a friend or whatever your title is, but some times when you know someone needs a little more of something it's hard to how and what to give. Anna's dear teacher simply said, "She just needs a full love cup."

That simple little statement made the choir sing in my head (Ahhhh Ahhhh Ahhhhh!). The confusion lessened and I stopped guessing at how I might be failing her as a parent and how I had already ruined her academic future. Blah. Blah. Blah.

Love, that one is easy to give. I realized I didn't have to jump through crazy hoops and psychoanalyze why this or why that, but just love on her until she runneth over. That's when I know she's full--when she gives love. (And by the way, the by-product of this is pretty good too. My cup goes from being half full to totally full.)