How Are Those New Year’s Resolutions Holding Up?

Jan 152013
 

If it takes twenty-one days to develop a new habit… then it’s probably time to give those New Year’s plans a little ‘push.’

While I tend to favor adding small changes throughout the entire year, I also enjoy the boost I get from knowing there are lots of other people trying to improve at the same time.

If parental example is our children’s strongest teacher, what does your experience with change (in the form of New Year’s Resolutions) teach your kids? Are you teaching them to take a ‘crash diet and quit’ approach to change? Or, are you providing them an example of consistency and self-discipline that will help them learn to change? Or some sort of ‘tortoise-and-hare-jumpstart-on-the-way-to-new-habits’ combo, perhaps? When implementing change, consistency counts.

Even activities that may not be daily can still follow consistent patterns. Take a look at the patterns and rhythms of life in your family. What routines do you have for things like homework, spiritual practice, independent reading, recreation or family meals? How about for saving money, grocery shopping or vacation planning?

Talking with your kids about the manner in which small, daily choices can add up can help them understand that there is a great deal of the future that is totally under their control.

Showing them is irrefutable.

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Want help developing healthy new habits with your kids? Be sure to check out our new Parenting Toolkit with lots of ways to build skills with your kids.

High Quality Compliments!

Jan 112013
 

by Esther Jantzen, guest poster

Children thrive when grown-ups point out their good qualities and the things they are doing well. Compliments are some of the best gifts you can give your child.

This activity teaches kids words they might not know. Here are several ways to do it: below are 45 words for positive traits. See if you can add 15 more to the list:

Active, determined, kind, adventurous, energetic, lively, artistic, enthusiastic, loving, aware, expressive, observant, beautiful, forgiving, open, bold, friendly, patient, brave, generous, powerful, bright, gentle, ready-to-learn, capable, handsome, respectful, caring, happy, responsible, changing, hard-working, sensitive, confident, honest strong, cooperative, imaginative, thoughtful, creative, inventive, unique, dependable, joyful, wise

1) Write each family member’s name on a separate piece of paper. Either alone or with others, write as many positive words as you can think of to describe each person. Give the paper to them.

2) When you find a family member doing a positive behavior, tell them! Tell them the specific instance when you saw that behavior. For example, say, “You sure were being gentle when you held that kitten.” Or, “I liked how energetically and quickly you picked up the papers from the floor.”

Compliments supports the English-Language Arts Content Standards related to vocabulary and concept development.

Esther Jantzen, Ed.D, is a mother, an educator and the author of Plus It! How to Easily Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Adventures for Kids available at www.plusitbook.com and the Way to Go! Family Learning Journal available through www.jantzenbooks.com

A Pothole, a Bicycle and a Broken Thought Pattern?

Jan 042013
 
Bad break [Apr 22]

Bad break [Apr 22] (Photo credit: santheo)

So, here I was, minding my own business…. packing to go to a conference. The TV was on in the background. Mistake. Big one. Instead of heading for bed early, here I sit — posting about a pothole.

I have written about parents who volunteer to serve detention (so that their child doesn’t have to) and even about one who drove the get-away car (for a robbery). I think that sometimes ‘extreme’ examples are a good way to learn. And, in these cases I was talking about helping our kids learn to take responsibility for themselves. I thought I’d run out of headlines for ‘inspiration.’ No such luck.

A young Virginia boy was riding his bike and (somehow) hit a pothole, went over the handlebars and broke his wrist. His Mom is suing the city. When asked why the city should be held responsible she replied “Hellooooo.” Really. That was her comment.

Am I missing something here?

Of course I feel sad for any 9-year-old with a broken wrist — it hurts. It’s unfortunate. And I understand feeling angry when my child has suffered an injury. I think those feelings are normal and natural. And of course cities and towns should to their best to make necessary repairs to roads.

Back to kids falling off of bicycles and getting hurt. It happens. Riding a bike and conquering gravity are not easy skills to master. But a broken wrist in not a fatality. Painful? Inconvenient? Scary? Sure. But all actions have consequences. Even driving our bikes through a pothole.

Your thoughts please? Am I being mean? Or is this Mom missing a golden opportunity to teach her child to be more aware of his surroundings and responsible for his own well-being?

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