BY MARIA LUISA SALCINES
Repetition is how children learn; the more they hear something or do something, the easier it becomes.
My brother and I were raised hearing my mother recite mottos. As a child, I never thought much about it, but now I realize how these words affected our lives.
You might think your children tune you out, but they are listening.
For mottos to stick, they need to be short, simple and positive. Never nag or lecture when speaking to your children.
Whenever I was worried my mom would say, “Lo que esta para ti nadie te lo quita.” If you translate it literally it means, “What is for you no one can take away.” However, the phrase that I have often heard is, “What is meant to be will always find a way.”
You have to focus on being a good person, living a good life, and working towards your goals. When it comes to relationships and your career, things will happen when the time is right.
My parents would often say, “With hard work anything is possible.” They always told us that our future depended on our effort.
I also grew up hearing, “As long as we have each other we have everything.” Friends are great, but family is the most important thing we have in life.
Something my mom always said to us was, “El dinero no compra felicidad.” “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Life is about valuing what you have, and recognizing your blessings. People are unhappy because they put too much emphasis on material things.
And another one of my favorite and a typical Cuban saying is, “Patras, ni pa agrarar impulso.” “Don’t step back, not even to gain momentum”. Life is about moving forward, and dealing with problems by looking towards the future.
The mottos you repeat to your children relay important life lessons, and determine the values they will carry through life.
Share them with love, and don’t be afraid to share them often.
Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer, and certified parent educator with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom. Follow her on Twitter @PowerOfFamily, Instagram mlsalcines or on her blog FamilyLifeandFindingHappy.com.
