| Smart Thoughts | |
|
5 Factors affecting plant growth: temperature sunlight water nutrients air
|
5 Factors affecting a child’s growth: healthy/safe environment nutrition exercise/sunshine love encouragement
|
|
One of the most common neglects of plants is water! When we remember
to water our plants they are usually wilting. Most of the time if we
catch it soon enough we can give the plant lots of water and we
wait…will it come back or will it die? Usually by the next day the plant
looks like its self, upright and healthy. And we may even remember to
water it regularly for a while but then we get busy and before we know
it we look at our plant and there it is wilted again! So the cycle
continues. Sometimes the plants survive this type of treatment or
neglect depending upon the species (some plants are more resilient than
others). However, repeated neglect can have negative effects on the
plant and may inhibit the plant’s ability to do what it is suppose to do
such as flower , bear fruit, or just growth in general. Our plants are
more productive and healthy when we care for their needs regularly, when
we do not allow them to become deficient, when we anticipate drought and
freezing temperatures and take measures to protect them! I feel the most neglected area in raising our children and young adults is encouragement. We usually tend to give our children the “basics”, however, just as we forget to water that plant we forget to encourage our children. Most of the time we do not even notice the deficiency, but children “wilt” just like our plants do. Just as a plant uses water to grow, so our children use encouragement to grow. It can be devastating for them to lose that which keeps them strong, upright and confident. I wonder how much more productive our children would be if we cared for all of their needs regularly and anticipated possible difficulties that are inevitable and are a part of growing. If we protected them from the emotional “elements” the same way we do a hibiscus. By giving our kids love and encouragement we keep them from “wilting” and give them the means necessary to grow and be productive. Give a kid a hug and an encouraging word today and everyday! Just my thoughts, Mrs. Smart
Dr. Pepper---Drink a Bite to Eat! |
|
|
|
|
