RE/DISCOVERING OUR IMAGE

I’ve been looking for ideas to help our foster children deal with what circumstances have brought to them, and help discover/rediscover a healthy image of themselves. I think my idea would also help any child, and reassure them of our love.

Something we can do to greatly benefit our children especially as they get older is to constantly speak about their identity and self worth. For any kid whose experienced trauma the reaction is that they are damaged, worthless, and not worthy of loving, thus identity gets twisted. Letting them know they are loved by God and us, planned for, he has a plan for their life’s and that they are in the image of god. That their value is based on that and not what anyone else thinks.

It’s the best insulation from the world and other people. It has the most weight coming from Fathers(don’t make this a debate).

My plan is to add a new word every week, and discuss at the dinner table the significance and meaning of the word in context.
Example:
Day 1 repeat the word and discuss its meaning.
Day 2 discuss what it means/feels like to be “xxxxxx”
Day 3 talk about the times you didn’t feel “xxxxxxx”
Day 4 talk about overcoming those negative feelings
Day 5 parents share your feelings of the child relative to the word.
Day 6 discuss examples in the Bible

-I am Loved
-I am Worthy
-I have Value
-I have Purpose
-I am Planned for
-I am in Gods Image
-I am Imperfect(and that’s okay)

What would you add?

I think it's great to have this come from the father! We don't discuss things like this enough, most of the time, it's left to the mothers.

I would add.

I am Enough
I am Strong

I like all that. Our identity in Christ is a big deal for everyone, not just kids. If you really want to get down and dirty look up CASA organization in your area. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) . I'm a CASA in Tarrant County and enjoy it.

My dad always said that is father never told him he loved him. He had a good dad that he knew loved him but he still never said it. From as early as I can remember he told me and my brother that he knew we would know that he loved us but he wasn't going to leave anything to chance. Growing up he would come give us a hug and kiss on the forehead every morning when he left for work and say I love you.

Im 33 and still to this day every morning about the time im brushing my teeth to get ready for work I get a text from my dad "good morning pie love you"

I do the same with my kiddos.