Day 129: To Listen

A few days ago, Diane Keaton was being interviewed on the Today show.  Towards the end of the interview, Matt Lauer asked her, because Mothers' Day is is coming up, what the most important lesson she learned from her mom was. Her response stuck with me.

Matt Lauer:  "What’s the most important lesson you learned from your mom?"

Diane Keaton:  "To listen."

Matt Lauer:  "Really?"

Diane Keaton:  "To simply listen.  Because, that’s what she gave me. Because, my mother would listen to me; I was endlessly complaining or talking about what I wanted and she’d just listen.  She’d never judged me, she just let me talk and I just think that’s a great gift.  My natural inclination is to not keep my mouth shut but I think it’s really important when you’re a parent to be quiet sometimes and just listen to your kids because not only will you, like, enhance their ability to kind of think for themselves, but you will learn to know them better by just listening to them.  They deserve that."

Wow.  Her words really made me think.  Little Buddy isn't very verbal yet, but he's well on his way.  One of my greatest hopes is that we have a strong relationship as he grows up and that we're able to talk about anything.  However, Ms. Keaton's words made me stop and reflect:  Yes, he may not be making much sense yet, but he's working on his skills.  Am I really listening to him or am I just simply giving perfunctory responses of "uh-huh" and head nods?  Am I fully encouraging him in his language development?  Am I showing him by my actions that he is what takes top priority in my life? 

If I want to have a close relationship with him, communication is key.  In order to do that, however, I really have to start laying the groundwork early.  Now, in fact.  I know I've been distracted from really listening to him lately because of school, but that's no excuse.  I want Little Buddy to grow up knowing that he can talk to his Mommy anytime about anything, and that I will always be fully present and listening.  There is no better time to start building that relationship than right now. 

And really, who wouldn't want to jibber-jabber with this guy all day?

Goodnight, 

LBM

Little Buddy's Mommy