我们可以给予孩子最好的礼物不只是包裹着蝴蝶结的漂亮礼盒。有一个礼物，是不需要在特殊场合，你甚至不需要花很钱，它也不像很多其他的礼物,一旦新鲜感消失将会被收进壁橱，它不会损坏、生锈或发霉，也不需要电池。这个礼物是鼓励。
鼓励带来勇气，激发勇气，并建立信心。作为父母，单纯凭借我们与孩子的关系，我们就已经有机会建立我们的儿子或女儿让他们有能力去面对困难和挑战。当我们使用鼓励这个工具时，即使孩子周围所有的人都坐着， 但他们却仍然可以昂首站立，这个工具将激发他们克服恐惧和反对，并领导周围的他人。
不幸的是，我们中的许多人从没发现鼓励的力量。我们倾向于指出我们孩子的错误，提醒他们曾经的失败。我们并没有与他们进行互动，或是交流，而只是关注他们最终的成就和结果，然后我们的批评便如冰雹般的攻击他们脆弱的灵魂。明智的家长认识到在孩子成长过程中赞美和支持的话语，就像马拉松比赛期间街道两旁站立着为跑步者呐喊欢呼，并为他们整个赛程提供水的人们。我们中的很多人只是等在终点看着我们的手表，不知道参赛者在比赛过程中真实的需要。当他们令人大失所望或中途放弃，我们的失望如同一块霓虹灯招牌：“这是不值得的，你是个失败者”。
我曾经听到一个奥运会的短跑选手说当他在比赛进入总决赛的时候感到很激动，因为当他跪在起跑线上时，起跑之前他脑中思想的都是他的父亲是否会观看他的比赛，所以，我们的孩子需要我们的鼓励。我们的鼓励使他们有胆量去面对人生大大小小的挑战。
从今天开始，让你的孩子知道你是他们的最大且最好的支持者。你的礼物将是一个永远不会被损坏或生锈，且永远不会被忘记。
英文原文   
Encouragement
One of the best gifts we can give to our children does not come wrapped with a bow on it. This gift is not something which is only given on special occasions.  You don’t even have to spend a lot of money on it.  And unlike so many other gifts, it will not be put away in a closet once the novelty is worn off.  It cannot be broken, get rusty, or grow mold.  It needs no batteries.  I speak of the gift of encouragement.
The word encouragement literally means to put courage into, to inspire with courage, and to foster confidence.  As parents, simply by virtue of the kind of relationship we have with our children, we have access to the means of building strength into our sons and daughters to face difficulties and challenges.  We wield a tool which can make them stand tall when others around them are sitting, an instrument which will stimulate them to overcome fears and opposition, and provide leadership to others around them.
Unfortunately, many of us have never discovered the power of encouragement.  We tend to point out our children’s faults, and remind them of their failures.  We do not interact with them up front, or mid-stream, but rather only at the conclusion of their efforts and projects, and then our criticism rains down like hail upon their vulnerable spirits.  The wise parent recognizes that words of praise and support along the way are like the people who line the streets during a marathon, cheering for the runners and providing them with water through out the race.  Too many of us only wait at the finish line looking at our watches, unaware of the fact that we were needed along the way.  When they don't live up to expectations, or give up along the way, our disappointment reads like a neon sign saying “it’s not worth the effort, you are a failure.”
I once heard an Olympic sprinter say that he was shocked when kneeling for the finals of his race the thought which was going through his mind just before takeoff was whether or not his father was watching.  Our children need our encouragement.  Our encouragement emboldens them to face life’s challenges, big and small.  Start today. Let your children know that you are their biggest and best supporter.  Your gift will be one that will never break or rust, and will never, ever be forgotten.
Kevin
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