Crystal is rapidly approaching her 18^th birthday. Soon she will officially be an adult and become responsible for her own decisions.

As I have mentioned before I will always be there to help her when she asks, even though that is very rare. I believe she understands this and I hope that it is appreciated as I know not all parents want to help their children upon their becoming an adult.

However, I want to talk about one of Crystal’s more interesting habits. It may sound weird or odd to many but I enjoy it.

Crystal along with Dixie and Sparkle come to me after being out or when I return to the house and in some way expect a kiss on the forehead. I know you may not be lovey dovey touchy feely but I enjoy showing my daughters that I love them, no matter how weird it may seem.

Let me try to explain what I believe to be one of the underlying reasons for this action. In many rural Guatemalan communities there is the tradition to honor your elders. When a child enters the presence of adults they will get close to them and bow their head. If the adult pats or touches their head then they have been accepted by the adult for that moment, conversation, or happening.

By getting their head touched they find acceptance by the adults in their community. This is very important as it shows the child that they have self worth as well.

Even more important and relevant to what I am talking about is that they are honoring the adult.

Crystal, even at 18, wants to honor me. Being expected to give a kiss on the forehead may not be much but to me it means everything. It connects us and reminds me of the responsibility I have to better enable her acceptance into the adult world.

How are our kids trying to honor us? What subtle ways are they using?

How are we preparing them? Are we teaching them how to be an adult or trying to keep them as children?

Definitely something to think about as I give another kiss on the forehead.