Mi Choza De Nipa: 05/31/2009

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Keep Sensible parameters

By Dr Bill Maier

Children need limits to learn right from wrong. But it's important that our limits make sense.

Boundaries do more than keep our kids safe — they guide them in the fundamentals of life.

When we set clear limits, we're teaching our kids that some things are unacceptable and wrong, and can lead to trouble later in life.

We're protecting their future.

But not all limits that parents set are about guidance or protection.

Some tend to be personal preferences — behaviours that simply suit our style.

For instance, people who value cleanliness may go overboard by expecting their kids to be perfectionists.

A toy left in the living room can turn into a major battle.

Kids need to mind, but they also need space to develop their own personalities.

There's nothing wrong with expecting a level of cleanliness, but before going to war over a messy room, make sure you're not drawing battle lines in the wrong place.

From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 04-Jun-2009

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

BUILDING A TODDLER’S SELF-ESTEEM

By Dr Bill Maier

Babies get their self-image from their parents, and those around them. But as they grow older and more independent, self-esteem comes from another source.

As toddlers work to master new things, their self-image comes from accomplishment.

You can see it on their faces the first time they take a few steps on their own. They stagger and fall and get back up again. Then suddenly they take several steps forward, and their eyes light up with excitement. If they could talk, they'd be shouting: "I did it!" And you can tell how proud they are.

The best thing a parent can do during these moments is to dote over them, and tell them, "Look what you can do! You can walk all by yourself!"

It's these small achievements that help kids develop a healthy self-esteem later in life. So let them do things on their own, and then don't forget to praise them when they succeed.

From TODAY, Voices – Wednesday, 03-Jun-2009

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

USE TV WISELY

By Dr Bill Maier

We all enjoy watching a good family programme on television, but that is not the same as letting your kids plop down in front of the tube to watch whatever happens to be on.

Teach your kids to be selective in their viewing habits, and to use their time wisely.

You might start by limiting the amount of time they're allowed to watch, and then encouraging them to plan ahead. Help them choose which programmes are worth spending their time on.

The best shows are those that stimulate other interests, like singing, or animals, or outdoor activities.

If your child likes to bake, introduce them to cooking programmes, and then encourage them to write down the recipes for later. If science is their thing, turn them on to the Discovery channel.

Television can be a great teaching tool, but only if we use it wisely.

From TODAY, Voices – Tuesday, 02-Jun-2009

FAMILY DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS

Image via Wikipedia

By Dr James Dobson

When it comes to our jobs or our personal lives, many of us have specific goals regarding where we'd like to be in 10 or 20 years.

But have we put that same thought into our family's future?

Someone once said: "If you aim at nothing, you're bound to hit it."

That's why it's important to set clear goals in every area of life — including your family. Take some time to write out a statement of "family dreams and aspirations".

Take inventory of where you've been, where you are, and where you want to be in 10 years. Then decide what you need to do in order to reach that goal.

Make sure the entire family is involved in the process. Then commit to making the needed changes and sacrifices along the way.

Mobilise your family for greatness, and see just how far it takes you.

From TODAY, Voices – Monday, 01-Jun-2009