Do you sometimes feel frustrated that your child always seems to be demanding more?
My daughter has never failed at anything. She’s extremely bright; everything seems easy to her. I worry about what will happen when she takes more challenging classes. How will she handle it if she finds something that is not so easy for her?
Even positive labels like ‘good girl’ can be unhelpful for our children. Val Mullally discusses the dangers of labelling our children.
My son was nearly 18 before I had an ‘AHA’ moment about how I’d been missing the boat re: what made him FEEL loved. I’ve shared this concept with parents at many workshops, and they always find it hugely helpful. Heres’ DAY ONE of my Valentine’s ‘Loving Your Child’ series.
Pay attention to how your child explains his successes and failures. She may need your guidance in modifying that view.
Parenting Tip: Encourage your child’s efforts rather than just the finished product. Why this matters.
Learning how to deal with mistakes and setbacks is extremely worthwhile throughout life. There has been an overemphasis on immediate achievement, to the exclusion of the value of effort and hard work. When children experience frustration over their attempts at a new skill, the aware parent can use this as an opportunity to persevere.
‘Controversial Bracelets banned at Fermoy schools’ (‘The Avondhu’ Thursday Sep 23, 2010)
The photo showed cute, colourful bracelets like any little girl might be wearing. There are the playground crazes, but this is not as innocuous as marbles or card swapping. The name rings the warning bells …
Parent Contradicts
What effect does it have on children when they receive conflicting messages?
Supermum runs round doing everything for this child. Imagine this same child on her first day at school. Where’s Mummy?
