Life as I Know It; Family; Lifestyle; and Healthy Living!
Published on September 27, 2006 By foreverserenity In Parenting

Sometimes it might seem that I complain about my kids a lot. I don’t consider writing two or three articles about what I don’t like or trying to get them to adhere to certain rules at home complaining, that’s a typical parental discussion.

From time to time I’ll mention my kids and I have said good things about them, they are fairly well-behaved and good children. Except for the few times that I have to be at my wits end because of a disagreement or something, typical kids stuff. Though sometimes it seems my four and half year old is more than typical. [stay tune for an article yet to be posted - any day now, and you’ll see what I mean!]

I’ve always told them how wonderful they are, that I’m proud of them, and other things to encourage them. Children need to know when they’re doing well and it’s a boost to their confidence as well.

It’s not good to always tell them when they’re only doing something wrong. I remember my mom always told me good things about me. She loved telling baby tales of the antics I would get into. So I guess my little one possibly got that from me! Haha….yea, but I don’t think I was as bad as her!

I reaffirm to them when they do something good and I can see that makes them feel good. That’s important to do. It makes them work even harder to be a success.

In doing this, I don’t believe that I should let them not be prepared for their future. They have to learn to expect good and bad things out of life. No matter how much you try to protect them, they are going to experience some of the ugly stuff from people out there. They have to learn how to defend themselves. So they learn to follow rules, to participate in household chores and to be decent human beings.

I tell them all the time to enjoy their childhood not to rush into things, not to rush into wanting to grow up. And at the same time life’s not just having fun and living as if there’s no tomorrow, it comes with responsibilities, and the sooner they learn about that, when they are equipped to handle it, the better armed they will be.



Comments
on Sep 27, 2006
The self truths that we learned are so obvious to us, that we are sometimes frustrated when our children do not grasp them right away.  That is not complaining, that is life. 
on Sep 27, 2006
I compliment my kids, but I give them a fair dose of criticism too.

For example, my ten year old son believes he can do anything he sets his mind too....we made him believe it by telling him positive things his whole life. Sometimes his confidence is scary.

However, if he is not applying himself at school, or on the basketball court, whatever, I don't pat him on the back and say "Better luck next time." Heh. I tell him he needs to .......whatever he is doing to keep him from being his best.

I find at this age he gets lazy about things he's not interested in...like math! So I have to knock down that confidence a notch or two(by giving a pop quiz)..so he knows he's not going to ace Math without work, just because he's so great.

Sometimes he listens and sometimes he has to learn the hard way.

on Sep 27, 2006


The self truths that we learned are so obvious to us, that we are sometimes frustrated when our children do not grasp them right away. That is not complaining, that is life.


This is true Doc, so true!


I find at this age he gets lazy about things he's not interested in...like math! So I have to knock down that confidence a notch or two(by giving a pop quiz)..so he knows he's not going to ace Math without work, just because he's so great.Sometimes he listens and sometimes he has to learn the hard way.


Uh uh, I can relate. My son get's lazy too sometimes, although he's very bright and very capable. They do that sometimes! Sometimes we can't do anything at all but let them learn from their own mistakes.
on Sep 27, 2006
I tell them all the time to enjoy their childhood not to rush into things, not to rush into wanting to grow up. And at the same time life’s not just having fun and living as if there’s no tomorrow, it comes with responsibilities, and the sooner they learn about that, when they are equipped to handle it, the better armed they will be.


It is not easy to get a balance hey?
on Sep 28, 2006
I'm sure your children will turn out just beautiful! You're a well-balanced person and they'll learn that from your examples.
on Sep 30, 2006
I'm sure your children will turn out just beautiful! You're a well-balanced person and they'll learn that from your examples.



Thanks Trudy! That's a nice thing to say!
on Sep 30, 2006
It is not easy to get a balance hey?


No it's not always Jen. As you already know being a mom yourself.


My life *is* like a box of chocolates, but no matter how many pieces i bite into, the centers are always rancid.


LOL, I totally understand!


Your kids will be fine, fs, with a kind and competent mom like you, how could they not be?


Thank you Whip! I know in the end they have to be. Thanks for the kind words.