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The Importance of Affirming Children

Affirmation is much different than empty praise. Here we will learn what affirmation is all about and ways you can affirm both your child’s character and her spiritual growth.

Have you seen or read The Help? There is a phrase from this book by Kathryn Stockett that has stuck with me. It is from the scene when housekeeper, Aibileene Clark, sits little Mae Mobley on her lap, looks intently into her eyes and says:

“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”

This simple exhortation becomes a private sanctuary between the two. Aibileene’s primary purpose in this interchange is to infuse Mae Mobley with a sense of self worth – one that she is unlikely to get from her indifferent and otherwise preoccupied mother.

Aibileene’s words may not be grammatically correct but the message is clear:

Genuine affirmation is an essential ingredient in child development.

The Importance of Affirmation

There is a body of research that has investigated the topic of resiliency in children. Resilient children come from adverse and sometimes traumatic upbringings. But, despite these difficult beginnings, these children are able to rise above their circumstances and develop into contributing and well-adjusted adults.

So what makes the difference between a resilient child and a fragile one? There are a lot of contributing factors, but the support of a caring, affirming adult is one of the strongest protective factors, according to the research.

What this Means to Parents

The definition of affirmation is “to declare something to be true.” To affirm a child, then, is to communicate things that we know to be true about them. For Christian parents, these things will have spiritual significance and biblical underpinnings.

Affirmation from the Christian parent to their children can take two forms: statements of what is known to be true about them uniquely and statements about what is known to be true about them because of their status in Christ.

Unique Affirmations

John 3:8 says, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Just like we can see the effects of the wind through the trees, we can see the effects of the Spirit in our kid’s lives. It is our job to point these out.

Here are some examples:

  • “I have noticed how patient you are with your sister lately. I can see the Spirit working in you.”
  • “You used to get upset when you didn’t win a game. Now you are so gracious when you lose. I can see God working in your heart.”
  • “Remember how you used to lose your temper a lot? That hardly happens any more. You are growing up in the Lord.”

Absolute Affirmations

The Bible is full of truths that we can share with our children because of their status in Christ. This is not dependent upon their behavior or progress on a goal. These can, and should, be pointed out in the good times and the bad.

Here are some examples:

  • You are a friend of God! (Ephesians 2:13 and John 15:15).
  • You are very important to Christ’s church (Romans 12:5).
  • God chose you. You are important to Him (1 Peter 2:9).
  • Your sin has been paid for (Colossians 2:14-15).
  • God has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

Parenting is not just about teaching children what they can and cannot do. It is our job to go beyond the “do’s” and “don’ts” to help our children see themselves the way God sees them – like a treasured possession (Deuteronomy 26:18).

Let’s make it a practice to affirm our children every day.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment from a qualified mental health professional. Cornerstones for Parents is not liable for any advice, tips, techniques, and recommendations the reader chooses to implement.

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About Laura

Laura Kuehn, LCSW

Laura is a licensed clinical social worker who offers individual therapy to women and moms in Connecticut. She is the author of More Than a Conqueror, A Christian Kid's Guide to Winning the War on Worry. Cornerstones for Parents is the place she combines some of the things she is most passionate about: God's word, parenting and mental health.

8 Comments

  • Thank you for this most helpful article. Laura! I have borrowed some of the content of this post for today’s BABY BIT post at FB.com/Smile.At.Your.Baby 😀 ~ Shelley

  • Thank you so much for your kind words. They were affirming to me as I affirm and encourage my two babies. They are 2 and a half and 16 months old. I physically encourage them through hugs and love and verbally encourage them even though they are small. My 16 month old loves it and can understand lots more than she can say in words. You can see her face light up when I thank her for helping Mama or for using her words. My 2 and a half year old loves to hear she is doing a great job using her words and using the potty etc. Thanks for your website. It is the best Christian website for parenting that i’ve found and I look at it regularly for Christian parenting encouragement and ideas in a world of secular philosophy of child raising.
    Bless you!

    • Hi Abigail – Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and for adding to the depth of this post. There are infinite ways we can affirm our children and I appreciate your examples of how that can be done with words and touch for little ones as well. Your children are blessed to have you. And thank you for your encouragement to me – it is my daily prayer that God will use this site to build and strenghten families.

      In Christ,
      Laura

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