"Get down to your child's level when you talk to them, discipline them, and play with them." I am not sure why I remember this statement on a daily basis and why I can't even remember where I read it or heard it. What I know is that it haunts me on some days. I didn't think too much about it until I became a chronically ill mom instead of a "regular" mom. Why? Because I can't get down to my kids level any more. I can't get down on the floor.

I loved getting down on my knees and talking with my daughter and son. I loved looking directly into their beautiful blue eyes. I loved pulling them up on my lap and holding them right in front of my face so they could see how much I loved them just by my expression. I loved getting on the floor to play with them.

Today I can't get on my knees to talk to them. I can't pull them on my lap so they can see my face up close. I can't sit, lay, or play on the floor. Do they understand? Do they think I don't love them as much as I used to because I can't do the things I used to do with them?

Is it true that I have to be on their level to show them how deeply I love them? Is it true that my actions speak louder than my words in this case? I pray that my children know in their heart how I feel about them from my words and my attempt at actions. I don't want them to compare my old actions to my present actions.

My attempt at actions has included having toys strewn across my bed on any given day. One day it may be legos all over the bed and on another day it may be Barbies or possibly a board game or just a pile of books to read with them. It includes having my children lay next to me on the bed so I can see directly into their eyes and tell them how I feel about them. My bed has become a way for me to get down on the floor by bringing my children up to my level instead of me trying to get my body down on the floor.

Do you make sure you get down on the floor? Do you cherish those moments that you can play on the floor or lift your kids up to your eye level? Don't take it for granted and keep doing it if you can because one day it may be taken away from you.

Crouch down to talk to your kids and not just when you discipline them. Get down on the floor each day and see things from their perspective. Have them sit on your lap to talk for just a minute even if you think you are too busy. And if you are a chronically ill mom then be determined to use any means, like I use my bed, to make sure your actions speak just as loud as your words even if you can't get down on the floor.

"Children are a gift from the Lord" Psalm 127:3 NLT

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