One of the major challenges facing parents is not to ‘label’ our kids. I have heard so many parents over the years labelling their children as ‘idiots’, ‘wasters’, ‘losers’, ‘lazy good-for-nothings’ and a whole lot more.
Then, in addition to that, they compare their non-achieving sibling with an achieving sibling in front of the other. It’s a recipe for disaster, rebellion and so much more.
Often it's when we are so frustrated, angry or stressed out that these words are fired from our mouths and then we spend months, if not years, wondering what has happened to our child or children. Tougher still when they are vulnerable teenagers, sensitive, self-conscious and very confused.
I remember telling my daughter, when she was about 12, as she was completing a school project, that she was wonderfully creative. She has reminded me of that conversation ever since and she is now in her 20s. A positive and encouraging comment was grabbed, processed and encouraged her to try all sorts of different things over the years eg, making photo frames for friends, designing birthday, Christmas and other cards and so much more.
We even forbade our children labelling each other with words like those mentioned above, even when partially joking. We wanted them to focus on each other’s strengths.
Food for thought :-)
Then, in addition to that, they compare their non-achieving sibling with an achieving sibling in front of the other. It’s a recipe for disaster, rebellion and so much more.
Often it's when we are so frustrated, angry or stressed out that these words are fired from our mouths and then we spend months, if not years, wondering what has happened to our child or children. Tougher still when they are vulnerable teenagers, sensitive, self-conscious and very confused.
I remember telling my daughter, when she was about 12, as she was completing a school project, that she was wonderfully creative. She has reminded me of that conversation ever since and she is now in her 20s. A positive and encouraging comment was grabbed, processed and encouraged her to try all sorts of different things over the years eg, making photo frames for friends, designing birthday, Christmas and other cards and so much more.
We even forbade our children labelling each other with words like those mentioned above, even when partially joking. We wanted them to focus on each other’s strengths.
Food for thought :-)
1 comments:
Hey thanks for sharing such a nice blog...
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