by Carmen Spectra

Created on: April 21, 2008   Last Updated: January 25, 2012

A child is born conditioned to love, to respond to the nurturing love they should be encased in. It is the adult's responsibility to ensure that this unconditional love doesn't translate to conditional love, because if it does, this is what has been taught to them.

I marvel at the way my children loved me; irregardless if I was having a day where there wasn't that much left of me to give, they didn't stop loving me, they would write me little notes and pick a flower for me to brighten up my spirits. What wonderful, magnificent little creatures they are, in the right hands. Having said this, I marvel at the tenacity a child has to endure the heartache and pain inflicted on them by the cruel hands of people who don't deserve this priceless, little creature, yet they somehow miraculously manage to grow into a decent, worthwhile human being who isn't a burden on society.

My greatest treasures are the boxes of memoirs that I have kept over the years. I love to sit and read through them. What priceless gifts they are - my unconditional love box of gifts. I have notes scribbled, saying "to the best mum in the world." I have little mud hearts, rocks that look like something meaningful, pressed flowers, and the list goes on.

The saying "Children learn what they live," is so, so true. They learn from such an early age - what they learn is what they see and hear. If one has the wisdom to see this, it challenges one in their parenting style to be ever vigilant, knowing that if they display anger and frustration continually, they are moulding this beautiful, little mind to display the same in later years.

I was asked recently by my son-in-law who had observed my youngest son going to the aid of an elderly lady as she struggled with bags of groceries as she tried to cross the street, the how's and why's he would do this without a moment's hesitation. My answer was quite simple. I replied, "Because he saw his mum doing the same thing constantly throughout his growing years." He always comments on what a beautiful heart my son has and this was an enlightening factor to him. And something he will be very mindful of as he raises his three children, although he reflects this in his parenting without knowing it. What a blessing this is to this mum's heart, as I know my grandchildren are in very good hands.

All throughout their formative and adolescent years, my children's greatest model and teacher was me! What an awesome privilege and pleasure this was and is!

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