I have felt it from nearly as early on as I can recall from the time of their births: my twins are the best presents I ever got. They are a gift from God and from my husband Todd.
Now that they are approaching age 3, they are getting to realize just how precious they are to me. That should be a good thing, right?
Many times Todd or I have said to our daughter, Zara, “you’re a cutie,” or “you’re a little stinker!” and in her toddler argumentative mode she disagrees and says, “no, I’m a present.” She knows from what I’ve told her, she knows she is a gift. I have told her (and Roman) repeatedly. It’s just a fact that is so undeniable to me that I share it with them.
Yet I feel them manipulating that. How does one instill their value without giving them too much “power?” Essentially, I find myself asking, “How do I keep the most precious thing from me from knowing just how much power they have over my heart?” At the same time, I want them to know it. It’s a conundrum.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.