Until I can get to Christmas recapping (hope everyone had a wonderful holiday), here I am to share one more take-away from my developmental psychology class because I really liked this video. (Actually, my sister shared this video clip with me a couple years before and I’ve thought of it often since then, and loved the reminder to watch it again during my class.)

It kind of goes together with the “welcoming response” thoughts I shared a couple days ago (HERE), and the POWER of connecting.

Eye to eye.

Heart to heart.

The older I get the more I realize connection and “being there” triumph over anything else. Things like a fancy Christmas gift or a beautifully spotless home will never compare to the gift of “being there” with our children. Or our husband. “Being there” with our friends, even when it has to be behind a mask or through a computer screen.

(I’ve shared lots of thoughts on “being there” through the years…there are a couple of them HERE and HERE.)

It’s interesting how this pandemic has taken away much of our social togetherness, but it doesn’t have to take away the power of connection.

That connection is what makes the world go around.

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11 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing about using a welcoming response! Has helped me to be a lot more in the moment when my kids or husband come into a room. I recognize that I feel more loved and accepted when there is a welcome response for me…and how much I yearn for my own loved ones to feel that from me. Such a simple, yet valuable tool. Thank you!!

  2. I’ve been intentionally working on my welcoming response over the last week or so. Thanks for sharing about it. I’m thankful to have you in my “motherhood corner” even though we’ve never met. Happy New Year!

  3. I’ve also been trying to work on my “welcoming response” since reading your post about it. Thanks for sharing what you’ve been learning. Keep it coming!

  4. That is such an interesting video. My take-away was completely different, though. In the video, the mother is still making eye contact with her baby, yet that isn’t enough. Children need to see more than just eyes. They rely on the facial cues of those around them. Our masked world is psychologically hurting children because they are met on every hand with just stares—no accompanying expressions. It breaks my heart.

    1. Interesting thoughts, Stephanie! I am so grateful that when we’re home with our own families we don’t have to wear masks because I agree, those facial cues from parents and loved ones are so important! I’m sure the ones from strangers can help so much as well…I hope we will keep more light coming at the “end of the tunnel” of this pandemic…I don’t want to ever take it for granted when we don’t wear masks anymore, the beauty of a smile!

  5. Not sure whether you still see this, but I wanted to tell you that I disagree.
    I had a baby this year and she doesn’t grow up in a masked world. Most of the day, we are at home and obviously, we don’t wear masks here. When I go shopping with her and I wear a mask, I still interact with my baby and coo or tickle her. Yes, she sees strangers with masks and sees only their eyes, but I don’t think it’s bad for her development, babies can only form an attachment to one or two persons anyway.

    1. I’m not sure if this comment was meant for me…I shouldn’t have mentioned masks, because that’s not what this is about…just about the power of connection. Yes I’m so glad that we can have that whole face contact with our children…this pandemic has made me realize that’s so easy to take for granted in “normal” life!

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