It's September! As parents we are busy getting kids
lined up for school and activities, schedules coordinated for carpools,
volunteering in the classroom room, keeping the home front running smoothly and
our work life balanced. With the predictable influx of newness the fall brings,
we do what ever we can to help things settle into a smooth pattern.
Adding a few simple things to your list will make it all go even more smoothly. Yes! I did say add a few things! These little gems will actually slow your
life down. Dig in and take these jewels seriously. Just like you expect
your kids to shift into a new pattern, you too can make a few changes and see
big impact.
To slow this crazy time down:
•
Listen more. You do not
need to have an answer for every question your kids ask! When they ask you a question, return their question with a question. This will shift them into think
mode. To often we do the thinking for our kids, hampering their learning and curiosity. HINT: Half the questions kids ask they already know
the answer to. It is empowering for them to answer their own questions.
BTW, this works on husbands, too!
•
Watch for
opportunities to praise. We know to do this and we try, don’t we? Sometimes, instead of praising, we "nag the negatives" as a
result of having too much on our minds. Here is a trick to up the ante on
praise and cut back on the nagging..."pay yourself" to do
it! When you notice yourself giving a really good bit of praise vow to
"pay yourself" with a personal treat. When you notice yourself
holding back on a "nagging moment", treat yourself again! Prearrange your
treat so you’re sure to follow through on the reward.
•
Vow to take
two things OFF YOUR LIST each day Yes, off your list! (Feels better
already, right?) We all know we are TO BUSY most of the time. By not changing this behavior we
are role modeling the insanely busy attitude as normal for our kids. It makes
us snippy, less effective and frankly less fulfilled. Is this what we want to
model for our kids?
These are three ways you can add time and quality
to your life. And this way of “being” has you acting as a better role
model for your kids. Enjoy adding these time and sanity savers to your
To Do list today!
Parents, do
you have questions raising your child with learning issues? You can raise
confident capable kids despite learning issues. Reach out for answers to your
most perplexing questions today!
Becky Scott
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