Grand Cru: 15 Ways to Nurture Your Children

This is an excerpt from Joyce Burges’s book, Teach Me How To Teach My Child which is available on Amazon.

While perusing a certain magazine I came across an interesting term, “grand cru.”  A French concept that means, “highest potential for greatness.” 

I thought about this for a long time regarding my work with children.  Being actively involved in my own children’s learning gave me a chance to experience grand cru. 

I have found that in-home learning and a comfortable domestic  atmosphere constitute the ideal surroundings to deliver a world class education.  A designated place to gain knowledge goes hand and hand with a great learning experience.    

Parents should not fear being a parent.  We have been given a wonderful opportunity to train, teach, and care for young lives.  As parents, we are qualified to nurture our children.  Simply being their parent and wanting the very best for them qualifies us.  We have a vested interested in our children’s future.

Giving time to a worthwhile endeavor always requires patience.  In- home learning is no different.  This effort entails commitment, dedication, and loving sacrifice.  However, the long-term seeds of influence that we are sowing into the minds of our children will prove a good investment for the generations to come.  We are giving one-to-one attention, which requires an engaging face to face connection.   

The most beautiful characteristic of parents is their passion for their children.  Passionate parents want to bring out the best in their children…their talents, their abilities, and most of all their creativity.  

Above all else, parents want to give their children a love for God.  That is why we speak biblical words into their minds so that they can become all they were created to be.  Parents have a vision for their children as it pertains to Godly values.  We want our sons to be sons of God…fit and equipped for purposeful living…men of valor and character.  We want our daughters to become polished young women of grace and strength.    

15 Ways to Nurture Your Children

1. Stay Connected – talk to your children daily about your dreams for them and their dreams for themselves.
2. Touch – remember to kiss or hug your child daily.  Hold hands when taking a walk or sitting together.
3. Be Flexible – be teachable. Sometimes children can teach you more than anyone else.
4. Smile – possess a cheerful look and a radiant countenance.
5. Celebrate – be creative, have a party, enjoy the little moment, as well as the big moments.
6. Show – a genuine interest in what concerns your child.
7. Talk – plan special moments just to talk.
8. Listen – attentively.
9. Affirm – tell them often of your love.
10. Praise – enthusiastically.
11. Be Firm – lovingly nurturing your children.
12. Say – I care.
13. Remember – Birthdays, keepsakes, etc.
14. Help – with a project.
15. Encourage– to always strive for excellence.