Parenting Children - September 23, 2012

Day 40 - Encouraging Responsibility

Training our children for healthy independence
• we don't own our children
• we are helping our children move from parental control to self-control
• letting them go can be hard for parents
• a gradual process over eighteen years
• allow them to make their own decisions and learn from their own mistakes
• unhealthy control can be caused by wanting to look good, fear of failure, stress, or perfectionism

Question:
How can you allow your children to learn from their mistakes while still protecting them sufficiently?

Related Topics: Children, Family, Responsibility | More Messages from Parenting Children | Download Audio

From Series: "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

Study Guide

More From "Parenting Children Ages 0-10"

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Show an interest

  • involves effort and generosity
  • listen to what appeals to your child(ren)

Avoid shutting them down

  • value their ideas
  • allow them to express negative feelings such as disappointments, embarrassments, sadness, anxiety, and anger.

Reflect back

  • repeat back to your child what you think he or she is saying
  • reflect back to your child some of his or her words, but not in parrot fashion, as that can be annoying
  • concentrate on reflecting back the feelings you think your child is trying to express, e.g. it sounds like you feel upset or frustrated or sad?
  • reflective listening will help your child(ren) to frame their own feelings

Complete the attached worksheet.

 

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