Here is a list of ways to convey the message "You are worthwhile" to your children. This list could fill a hundred newsletters, since the ways to raise responsible, happy children are limited only by our imaginations. Here are some places to begin.
1. Tell her on a regular basis that you love her. Actually say the words. If you think, "I don't have to tell her. She knows," you are wrong. It doesn't count if you think it but don't say it out loud.
2. Tell him that you are glad he is your child. Say the words and mean them. If you don't feel it, there is something wrong and you should find out what's going on. We all have moments when we have a hard time getting in touch with our positive feelings for our children. I'm not talking about those times. I'm talking about in general, most of the time, if you're not feeling good about being your child's parent, something is wrong. He will never feel good about himself if he senses that you are not connected to him.
3. Give her an example to follow. Take the time to teach her the steps. Kids need models. It's unfair to expect that she will know what to do in her daily life if you haven't shown her how to do it.
4. Spend time with him. If you are absent most of the time, he notices, and he probably thinks it's because he isn't important enough.
5. Look at her when you speak to her. This conveys, "This is important and you are important."
6. Look at him when he speaks to you. This conveys, "What you are saying is important. You are important."
7. Explain why. It takes more time, but it conveys that she is important enough to spend the time helping her understand. When you explain why, you are also saying, "I understand that you need to know why. I am going to help you meet your needs."
8. When he tells you about something that happened, ask him how he feels about it. Take the time to listen to his answer.
9. When you ask a question, encourage her to elaborate. Say, "Tell me more about that," or ask, "What was that like?"
10. When you ask a question, don't interrupt when she is answering.
11. When you ask a question, watch your responses. Don't disagree or criticize his answer. This teaches him that it isn't safe to be candid and will make him edit what he tells you.
12. Take her seriously.
13. Participate in the driving. The kids whose parents never help with the driving feel bad about themselves.
14. Say no when you need to say no. Kids need to know there are limits and that some things are outside of those limits.
15. When you say no, explain why.
16. When you say yes, explain why.
17. Set a positive example with your own behavior. You can only expect her to behave with dignity and self-respect if she sees you doing it.
18. When you lose your temper or make a mistake, apologize. Say that you are sorry, be specific about what you are sorry for, and give him a chance to respond.
19. When you know that you have disappointed him, acknowledge it. Ask him how he feels about it.
20. Spend time alone with her. Arrange activities for just the two of you.
21. Ask him what he would like to do.
22. Give her a private space where she can express herself.
23. Respect his privacy.
24. If he did a good job on something, say so.
25. If she didn't do such a good job on something, point out what she did well.
26. After a disappointment or failure, ask, "What did you learn from the experience?"
27. When you are giving feedback, describe specific behavior. For example, "I like how you asked the question so politely" or "You still need to pick up the towels off the floor."
28. When there is a problem, focus on the issue, not the child. For example, "You didn't do the last ten problems on this assignment" is more constructive than "You never finish anything."
29. Ask what he thinks.
30. Let her be the one to choose the restaurant, movie, or activity some of the time.
31. Ask him to go with you on routine errands just because you want to spend some time with him.
32. Touch her when you talk to her.
33. Give him a hug at least every few days.
34. Go in and say goodnight before she goes to sleep. (This is easy to forget once they become teenagers.)
35. Look up and smile when he walks into the room.
36. Introduce yourself when she is with a new friend.
37. Ask her to tell you about the book she is reading or the movie she just saw.
38. Review child development literature regularly to stay updated on what is normal at each age and stage. It is important to recheck your standards and expectations to be sure they are realistic for the child's age and individual abilities.
39. Look for ways to maintain your own self-esteem. If you are unhappy, discontent, or disappointed in how your life is turning out, it will be difficult for you to build the self-esteem of your children.
40. Every child needs to be the object of a parent's undivided attention on a regular basis.
41. Make certain that your body language matches your words. If they are out of synch, he will be aware of it.
42. Be yourself. Tell the truth.
43. Be appropriate. You don't have to say everything that is on your mind or tell him things he isn't ready to know.
44. If you show that you accept yourself and your actions, you give permission to her to do the same.
Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. He offers online and telephone coaching and counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or 201-303-4303.
detailed home cleaning Park Ridge ..More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
"Good parents give their children Roots and Wings." --Jonas SalkThe... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
It's back to school time again. Does the thought of... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More
Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More
Child Party Planning Guideline #1)Pick the ThemeYour child is going... Read More
In the beginning, having children was just a byproduct of... Read More
It was a hot summer day in august and The... Read More
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few... Read More
Do you have a high maintenance child?"Thank goodness my second... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
School authorities continually claim that they want more parent cooperation... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Many young people don't know how to study efficiently and... Read More
I had my first two children on either side of... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
Q. What's the right age to start giving a Bible... Read More
Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More
Most of our Founding Fathers, including Ben Franklin, Sam Adams,... Read More
Nurture and TeachThe single most important thing caregivers can do... Read More
Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Sitterphobe "I never have a second to myself," this mother... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's... Read More
You may think once your child has gone off to... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
Your daughter tells you that Uncle Charley has touched her... Read More
Parenting |