Danae and I were at the dining table yesterday, eating and talking. I thought we were talking about what happened in Japan, so when she was saying something about a storm, I immediately corrected her and said that it wasn’t a storm but an earthquake. She got confused and I proceeded to tell her about the events in Japan. She got so frustrated with me that she put her head down and cried. I asked her why she was crying and she loudly said, with all her emotion, “because you’re not listening to me!”
Poor Danae. I felt for her. Many times I felt frustrated when I was young, that I wasn’t being heard. I immediately apologized and explained. I should have listened first because she was talking about typhoon Ondoy and what she remembered about it.
I’m so glad that early on, we are already learning how to listen and communicate. I’m glad that my daughter can freely tell me how she feels. Thank God I’m the type of mom who is willing to hear her out and talk it through. And thank God we were only discussing relatively unimportant details of a certain event. Fast forward to adolescence when we talk about things way more complicated, this dynamic, this habit of communicating, will be of great help to us.
Phoebe's Sari-Sari Stories 
nice reminder from danae 🙂
I’m also guilty of that. With so many things in my mind, at times I easily get exasperated with my kids’ countless stories. Your blog kept me reminded of how important it is to give time and heart to listen to our children. It’s a great way of letting them know that they are important to us and how much we love them. Thanks for your blog, sis! God bless you more;)
sometimes, it is tempting to set aside what our kids have to say with all the other things a mom needs to do just so you can get things done. but yes, listening in general is something i need to practice everyday. it’s when we do not listen that we sometimes miss what wonders God has opportuned for us to witness through our kids and family