Heartwarming Photos: Love in the Animal Kingdom

From the Huffington Post: Incredible Photos That Prove True Love Exists. 

Here are just a few of my favorites.  You can see more at the link above.

 

Slowing Down

This is another favorite of mine from  Hands Free Mama that reminds us cherish the moments we have, particularly with our children, and to be mindful of what they can teach us as we hurry through life. 

An excerpt:

I started my sentences with it. Hurry up, we’re gonna be late. 

I ended sentences with it. We’re going to miss everything if you don’t hurry up. 

I started my day with it. Hurry up and eat your breakfast.

Hurry up and get dressed.

I ended my day with it. Hurry up and brush your teeth. Hurry up and get in bed. 

And although the words “hurry up” did little if nothing to increase my child’s speed, I said them anyway. Maybe even more than the words, “I love you.”

The truth hurts, but the truth heals … and brings me closer to the parent I want to be.

Then one fateful day, things changed. We’d just picked my older daughter up from kindergarten and were getting out of the car. Not going fast enough for her liking, my older daughter said to her little sister, “You are so slow.” And when she crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh, I saw myself—and it was a gut-wrenching sight.

I was a bully who pushed and pressured and hurried a small child who simply wanted to enjoy life.

My eyes were opened; I saw with clarity the damage my hurried existence was doing to both of my children.

Here is what can happen when we let young minds into our vision.  An artist lets her 4 year old child finish her drawings and look at what comes out of it. 

 

Read more at:
laughingsquid

Listen to Your Child

I just found this blog today. I haven't read it much, but I thought this entry was a really touching one about the power of listening to our children.

Here is just an excerpt:

 

And despite what the critics say—that giving a child our undivided attention creates a child who thinks the world revolves around him or her—I believe otherwise.

Having a parent that listens creates a child who believes he or she has a voice that matters in this world.

And when you believe your voice matters, you have the strength to say, “Let me out of the car,” when you feel like you are in a dangerous situation.

When you believe your voice matters, you have the courage to say no to harmful substances that can affect your ability to make decisions and prematurely end your life.

When you believe your voice matters, you have the bravery to admit you made a mistake and will use that experience to learn, grow, and do better next time.

When you believe your voice matters, you have the confidence to write down your most difficult truths and publish them in a book so someone else doesn’t feel alone in his or her struggles.

When You Listen To A Child from www.Handsfreemama.com.

Child Keeps Us Mindful of Our Meat

Whether to eat meat, be a vegetarian, or a vegan is a personal decision, but I love that this little one reminds us to be mindful of this.

Kids Being Kids.....Meaning "Being Awesome!"

Some time ago Cheerios released a commercial with a mixed race couple that upset a lot of people.  Kids response? 

5 Inspirational Young Women

Like Malala Yousef, many young women around the world are standing up for their rights.  CNN profiles 5 of them: The world's 'other Malala's'