At home we made a commitment to read aloud together every night at bedtime. What I soon learned was that this time together wasn’t about the book. And it wasn’t an intellectual pursuit. This was an experience in intimacy.

As parents when we see ourselves as learners, our children benefit immensely. Empathy grows and communication deepens around what’s working and not working in each other’s learning journeys. We ask better questions, listen without hidden agendas and encourage with more authenticity,

“Fresh eyes” helped me let go of the mistakes or frustrations from yesterday giving everyone a break from my critiquing self. “Fresh eyes” helped me be fully present and receive the unspoken messages from my children – which undoubtedly were the most important.

No lectures to my children. This is a promise I made to myself even though it is often difficult for me to uphold because I love a good lecture. The problem is that it’s simply the least effective way to teach them.

When we pause and resist the urge to quickly answer questions, we are beginning to unleash the curious thinker who resides in the souls of children. Soon their questions move to deeper ones and right as they are asking them, those lights in their eyes start gleaming and it’s clear they are on the journey to find the answers for themselves.