Mi Choza De Nipa

By Dr James Dobson Sheltering a child from the consequences of his own actions now could help create an immature adult later. One of the prime objectives during the pre-adolescent years is to teach the child that actions lead to consequences, and yet this connection is often interrupted. A 10-year-old steals candy from a store and he’s caught and released to his parents, and nothing happens. A 15-yearold takes the keys to the family car and the parents pay the fine for his driving without a licence. All through childhood such loving parents in their misguided efforts to shield the child from pain have stood between his action and the natural consequences that flow from them. It’s possible under these circumstances for a young man or woman to enter adulthood not really knowing that life can bite. He may become a grown-up adolescent constantly needing his parents to bail him out of trouble. So how does one break this scenario? By linking actions to consequences. If Jane carele...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr James Dobson In case you haven't noticed , parenthood is a very guilt-producing endeavor, even for the dedicated professional. Since there's no such creature as a perfect parent, we subject ourselves to a constant cross-examination in the courtroom of parental acceptability. Round and round go the self-doubts and recriminations, and guilt becomes a constant companion. The best way to handle guilt is to face it squarely, using it as a source of motivation for change where warranted. I would suggest that parents sit down together and discuss their feelings. Write down your most troubling parental shortcomings. Then ask yourselves: "Is my guilt valid? Can I do anything about it?" Remember that none of us can be perfect parents. We get tired and frustrated, and disappointed and irritable, and it can affect the way we approach those little ones around our feet. Fortunately, we are permitted to make many mistakes through the years, provided the o...

Image by shannonpatrick17 via Flickr By Dr James Dobson Most of us remember childhood classmates who were saddled with nicknames like “loser” or “big ears” or “piggy”. These playful titles may take on a major significance in the life of a sensitive child. Children often become their nicknames and perceive themselves to be as others see them. Unfortunately, this phenomenon doesn’t occur only in the classroom or school yard; it happens at home too. Parents who label their child a slow learner may, in fact, be reinforcing learning difficulties . Or worse, an impatient parent may blurt: “You’re stupid! You’re clumsy!” In the mind of the child, these labels become truths which cannot be repressed or ignored. Let me leave you with this thought which applies to us all: We are not who we think we are; we are not even who others think we are; we are who we think others think we are. From TODAY, Voices – Monday, 17-Aug-2009 Related articles by Zemanta Fun Activities for Todd...

By Dr James Dobson Marguerite and Willard Beecher, writing many years ago, offered two insightful recommendations to parents. They said first, that a parent needs to gain his or her freedom from the child, so that the child can obtain his or her freedom from the parent. Second, they said that a parent should do nothing for a child that the child can profit from doing himself or herself. Now, there's great wisdom in those words. A newborn is, of course, completely helpless. But about 20 years later, he or she should have developed the skills and the self-discipline necessary for independent adult living. In other words, during the short course of childhood, an individual should progress from complete dependency to independency , from irresponsibility to responsibility. It comes by preparing the child day by day for the eventual moment of release. The Beechers said that parents who continue their servitude as the child matures may be handicapping him or her for life. So a primary o...