The Mom Challenge: Week 4

Hi ladies!  Week 4 - can you believe it?  We've been on the challenge for a month now!  Are you new to the Mom Challenge?  If so - no worries!  You can jump in anytime.  Here is the link to the past weeks challenges.

Make sure that you join us over at The Blog Frog.  It's free to join and we chat about all kinds of stuff!

Alright.  Week 4.  Last week we talked about having realistic expectations.  This week it's about staying positive.  After all - staying positive is one of the keys to success! 

Children - and adults - need positive attitudes and lots of praise.There are many benefits that praise and positive attitudes have.  Behavior can improve, children feel better about themselves, children adopt the positive thinking ways.  Plus if you use positive words and a positive attitude to your relationship with your children you better believe that it will spill over to other relationships!  Nothing makes you feel better or less stressed that a positive attitude!

 

 I used to teach pre-school.  During that time we were taught many techniques to use in our classroom.  One of the techniques used that pertains to behavior was simply praise positive behavior and ignore negative behavior.  Granted if little Johnny decided to cute little Sally's hair we had to say something!  But the point was let the small stuff go!  If you are trying to get 16 four year olds to sit down nicely, hands in their laps, and quiet you would be amazed that the easiest way to do that is to simply say "Oh I really like the way Bob is sitting there nicely."  Seriously.  They all run over to the carpet to sit nicely.  Kids want to please you!  They want you to be proud!  

 If your child puts their plate in the sink - make a big deal about it!  If they get dressed and you notice they have matching socks on tell them they rock! (Anyone else's child have a thing about wearing mismatched socks?)  Did they use abnormally great handwriting - tell them!  You want to encourage these positive behaviors.  The more you encourage them the more your child will want to do them.

Make sure you tell your kids how proud you are of them even if they fail at something.  "You were really brave for trying to ride your bike without the training wheels.  I know you will get it next time!"  "I know your art project didn't come out like you thought it would but I think it looks great!"  Fear of failing is one of the top fears people have.  And the fear of failing can hold people back - they are scared to try new things!  Try to instill in your child that it is ok to fail - as long as you try your hardest.  Failing isn't something to be embarrassed about - it happens to everyone.  Failing at something doesn't mean that you are a failure - you just need extra practise.  And it is important to try again! 

There are so many ways to praise your child.  I'm sure that you've seen the poster 101 ways to praise a child. 

What are some ways you like to praise your child?  Make sure to head to The Blog Frog to join in on the discussion!!