1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your child to focus on her many strengths.
2. Reinforce the positives. Give praise, recognition, a special privilege or increased responsibility for a job well done.
3. Define limits and rules clearly. A family council is an excellent place to discuss, explain and get a sense of ownership to the rules. Discuss what consequences will follow if the rules are not followed. Don't have a lot of rules, maybe four or five, but be consistent at following them.
4. Give your children responsibility to make the house a home. Everyone in the family should be responsible for some household chores daily. Responsibility makes them feel valued and part of the team.
5. Don't re-do their jobs. If you expect perfection, it is too easy for them to quit trying or else hope that you will step in and "save them" when it gets difficult.
6. Laugh at their jokes and listen attentively when they are talking to you. Being fully present when you are with your child is the only quality time there is.
7. If they don't fit in, teach them basic social skills. There are a number of behaviors that can be learned to help the "left out" child to fit into the group more easily.
8. Show them that what they do is important to you. Talk to them about activities and interests. Help them to find a hobby or interest that they excel at. Go to their games, presentations and activities.
9. Help them to set goals. Teach them to break each long-range goal into manageable bites. It is important to succeed at something ever day. Acknowledge your own successes so they can be more aware of progress they are making.
10. Don't punish them for telling the truth. Discuss problems without placing blame or attacking the child's character. Worry less about "who did this?" and more about "Let's get this mess cleaned up." If a child knows he has made a bad choice but doesn't feel attacked, he will feel more secure in trying to find solutions.
11. Create opportunities to give service and to develop tolerance for others with different values and backgrounds. These experiences can help a child to see himself in reference to the rest of the world and to be more understanding of the needs of others.
12. Give them opportunities to make decisions. Help them to see that each decision has pros and cons and may have consequences for themselves and others. If they want to do something that is clearly harmful, explain why you cannot allow them to act on it.
13. Teach them to deal with money and time wisely. When children are organized and responsible for their homework and allowance, it breeds self-assurance and personal responsibility.
14. Be a good role model. Let your children know that you feel good about yourself, but also teach them by example that mistakes aren't final but learning experiences.
15. Start and end each day on a positive and loving note. Give lots of hugs, kisses and high fives. Let them know on a consistent basis that your love is unconditional and that you are proud of them as a member of the family. You may occasionally be disappointed in their actions or choices, but will always be available for support.
? Judy H. Wright, Author, Speaker and Life Educator www.artichokepress.com
This article was written by Judy Wright, parent educator and author. Feel free to use it in your newsletter or publication, but please give full credit to the author and mention the contact information of JudyWright@ArtichokePress.com, 406-549-9813.
You will find a full listing of books, tapes, newsletters and workshops available on finding the heart of the story in the journey of life by going to www.artichokepress.com
best cleaning company Lincolnshire ..There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
Q. What's the right age to start giving a Bible... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
If you were to ask 100 parents why they think... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
Q. "What do you want to be when you grow... Read More
Most parents can hardly wait for their baby to say... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
I remember when my daughter was born, later my son.... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
The purpose of this article is to address some of... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
on demand house cleaning Lake Forest ..Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More
Would you like your child to be the best that... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
Some people can concentrate on an assignment, to the exclusion... Read More
Peaceful Parenting? ideas are very different from other kinds of... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
Child support is defined as that part of your income... Read More
The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
Levels of SafetyBy teaching our children there are different levels... Read More
It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More
Is your weekly shopping trip with the kids an absolute... Read More
My kids just can't get enough of playing games with... Read More
Parenting |