Serendipitous Parenting

What is the single quality that all naturally good parents seem to have? On today's show, the Eyres claim that that key, essential quality is an attitude of serendipity! Serendipity, as defined by the man who coined the word, Horace Walpole, is "a state of mind whereby one, through awareness and sensitivity, frequently finds something better than that which he was seeking." The implication is that we can have our goals and make our lists, but we need to be aware and sensitive enough to notice when something better comes along unexpectedly--an idea, a sunset, a question from a child, a need that someone has, any kind of beautiful and unplanned moment that we could interpret as an interruption or irritation but that we choose to interpret as a serendipity. It is with this kind of spontaneity and sensitivity that we recognize the teaching moments when we can really help our children, and as the Eyres said in a previous show, it is good to "always put off a put-off-able in favor of a now or never." And when the spiritual dimension is added, serendipity includes the nudges, the impressions, the inspiration of the Spirit which guide us in our parenting and in knowing what our children need.