Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Self Esteem

I read this article regarding preparing our teens for the real world (see link below). Patricia Redlich gives the following definition for self esteem. “Self-esteem is about having responsibilities, and believing you can meet them.” There are a number of definitions that we can always agree on; I’d like to comment on this one.

Our role as parents is not to fight our kid’s battles but to help them fight their own. That they know we are there for them, even if they lose their battles. That we love them whether they win or lose or continue as is. We also need to believe they can achieve their goals and dreams.

My son was complaining that he needed some money. I told him that he was entrepreneurial and that he could figure out something. He looked at me quizzically and I reminded him of two instances in his past that he was entrepreneurial.

He had completely forgotten about these events and had not recognized them as entrepreneurial. Sometimes our kids need to be reminded/acknowledged/recognized for what they’ve done so they can own their accomplishments.

How do you address self esteem and your kids?

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/how-can-we-prepare-our-teens-for-the-real-world-1081340.html

Dawn-Marie
www.Parent.Family-Rx.com

Quote:

“Achievement motivation and time management accounts for about 25% of your power to succeed. For example, a study in 1953 found that only 3% of the students graduating from Yale that year had written goals and specific plans for reaching them. Twenty years later, the 3% who had written goals were earning more money as a group than the entire other 97%!”

- Brent Evans of www.LearningSuccess.com

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Noodle Soup

I spent a few days with my best friend from High School and his family. They have four kids ranging from 10-15 yrs old.

I learned a lot being with his family, but I specifically want to talk about an incident that occurred while the adults were out to dinner.

Mrs. R got a call that her 2nd oldest had thrown her noodle soup onto the eldest daughter. The mother initially wanted all parties on the line so that everyone could state their side of the story. However the eldest wanted the noodles out of her hair and wanted to go straight into the shower.

She spoke to her 2nd daughter and asked her for her side of the story. Without judgment or a change in the tone of her voice Mrs. R stated that she expected her to apologize and to clean up the mess (along with some hints.)

When we got home, everything had been taken care of. This issue was over and there weren’t any more words for the parents to say.

I am always humbly reminded that when our kids know our expectations, they know how to win. This is a prime example.

How have your expectations with your teens made the path easier?

Dawn-Marie
www.Parent.Family-Rx.com

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