October 11th:
When your child builds up the courage to tell you something “weird” going on with their body or something “strange” that happened to them, STOP, LISTEN & RESPOND. Applaud them for speaking up. Remember, this may be your test on whether they will tell you something of this nature the next time. Respond carefully.
September 30th:
When your child makes a mistake or don’t know the answer to a question, be mindful of your reactions towards them. Be careful not to embarrass them in front of people or shame them about it. No one knows everything. Help them learn.
September 15th:
We all want our children to have a bright future… Avoid painting a picture of their future for them. Remember,they may have their own interests. Support them & don’t make them pretend to be someone else or pretend to like something they don’t in order to please you or to fulfill what you’ve dreamt for them. If forced to be something they aren’t, there’s a chance they will be miserable. Of course, we want our children to be happy & mentally healthy.
September 7th:
Yes, we love to congratulate & applaud our children for their accomplishments – for example, getting an “A” on a test, winning a football game, or getting their 1st job, etc. Don’t forget to congratulate & applaud their efforts & determination. It is effort & determination that will lead them through a fulfilling life.
August 27th:
3 things to do when you’re overwhelmed & want to prevent behaving negatively towards your children:
Put yourself on a time-out at that moment of truth.
Breathe – inhale then exhale before speaking.
Think about what you’re going to say before saying it & think about HOW you’re going to say it.
August 21st:
Phrases to free from your child’s vocabulary:
Everything went bad today
Nothing ever goes my way
Everyone hates me
When you hear such phrases, encourage your children to talk about what’s REALLY bothering them. Teach them to replace such phrases with, for example, I had a challenging day. Here’s what happened… When they get the courage to talk… listen…
August 11th:
Give your kids an extra kiss and hug today. Tell them why they mean so much! Give yourself a pat on the back – you deserve it!
July 19th:
7 phrases that will encourage your children:
“I trust you.”
“I’m on your side.”
“It’s okay if you’ve made a mistake. I still love you.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that you will succeed!”
“I will always be here for you.”
“Hang in there! I know you can do it!”
“You CAN accomplish your dreams. You have to work hard for it.”
July 15th:
It’s the weekend! Hooray! Take your children out on a date & spend some QT. Enjoy every second of it.
July 15th:
Do your best to stay involved in your child’s school life. Attend the special events your child is involved in. Show your support.Take the time to meet your child’s teachers. When you’re involved, it often improves your child’s school experience, allows more opportunities for you to step in when things aren’t going right & helps you to stay “in the know” when things are.
July 6th:
Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself. Pamper yourself. Give yourself a treat. Sleep an extra 30 minutes tomorrow morning or go to bed early tonight. Eat healthy, exercise & so on… When you feel good & at your best, you are better able to handle those challenging moments & day-to-day responsibilities.
July 5th:
We encourage our children to set goals & pursue their dreams, but what happens when something doesn’t go as planned? Help your children learn how to handle setbacks. Teach them the importance of having a plan B. Continue to motivate & support them during such challenging times.
June 30th:
Give your kids a BIG kiss, a warm hug, a “high five”, a chest bump, and/or a pat on the back. Sometimes it’s the small interactions that will make them smile, feel happy & connected with you.
June 23rd:
Most children have at least one thing they’d like to change about us parents. Perhaps it’s the way we communicate with them or the way we behave towards them. Want to improve your relationship with your kids? Want their point of view? Ask them what they’d like to change as it relates to your relationship. Then work on it together if their wish is appropriate.
June 20th:
Your body language plays a big role in how effective your communication can be with your kids. Smile at them, look into their eyes & turn your body in their direction while talking with them. Be mindful of your facial expressions that can be perceived as negative & keep striving to do better.
June 18th:
Remember to acknowledge your children’s efforts & successes – even the small ones.
June 17th:
Remember, if your child is insecure about something, avoid embarrassing them about it or humiliating them. Don’t make fun of it, share it publically, or make negative comments about it. Instead, nurture their insecurities, help them overcome them & see things positively.
June 13th:
8 Things To Do When You’re Overwhelmed & Want To Prevent Negative Behaviors Towards Your Children:
1. Put yourself on a time-out at that moment of truth.
2. Breathe – inhale then exhale before speaking.
3. Think about what you’re going to say before saying it.
4. Explain to your children how you feel (ex. tired, had a long day) and reassure them that it’s not their fault.
5. Ask a trusted person to babysit, let your children go outside in the yard or take them to a playground to run around and play. This will allow them to get some energy out and will provide a chance for you to get a break.
6. Give yourself an extra 15-30 minutes of sleep each day. You deserve it!
7. Eat healthy so you can feel better physically and better able to handle stressful situations.
8. Remind yourself of the kind of relationship you want to have with your children.
June 10th:
Tell your children today that dreams can come true! Encourage them to believe in themselves, work hard for it & keep trying. Teach them how to handle setbacks & support them along the way.
June 7th:
Comments To Avoid Saying About Yourself Especially In Front Of Your Children:
“I give up”
“I can’t get anything right”
“No one loves me”
“I hate my life”
“I am such an idiot”
“I’m ugly”
“I’m fat”
Such comments can hurt your children & have long term impacts on them. Remember to embrace your beauty & when things go wrong, face your challenges & give your all to overcome them. Set the example.
June 3rd:
11 Positive Comments To Say To Children:
“I admire your courage”
“I knew you could do it”
“I care about how you feel”
“I respect you”
“I appreciate your help”
“I believe in you”
“I’ve noticed your efforts”
“You make me happy”
“I trust you”
“You’re an incredible person”
“What you say is meaningful”
June 1st:
Tell your children at least 3 reasons why they brighten your day & how happy they make you feel.