Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

Love Letters ~ 3 Parenting Tips for Giving Kids Affirmations

Dear Parent,

Affirmations are love letters from you. They don't need to be long. If you'd like to send your child a love note, look inside.

Your child craves your loving words. Some parents have difficulty speaking from the heart. If you're such a parent, all you need is practice. Here are 3 small love letters that will get you started.

3 Love Letters to Share with Your Kids:

1. "I admire the decision you made when you…because…"

   Think about it, your child makes lots of good decisions. Decide which decision you'd like to compliment and then do it. You can write it as a love letter or just say it out loud. Either way your child will enjoy your kind words. He'll probably try to make more good decisions because he'll enjoy pleasing you.

    

2. "Your sense of humor tickles me because…"

   Every child likes to laugh. You probably do too. Telling jokes is a fun way to bring laughter into the house. Let your child know why you enjoy her sense of humor with a love letter. All you need to do is finish the above sentence. Put it under her pillow. She'll probably smile as she falls asleep. One more thing, get a kids' joke book at the library. Put a joke from it in her lunch box every day. Imagine the laughter from hearing her tell jokes at school and at home.

    

3. "I appreciate your kindness to others because…"

   Your child is kind to others. Recognize him for it. He might think, 'Dad wants me to be nice to others. I want dad's approval so I'll keep on being kind.' Your love letter or loving words encourage him to continue being kind. Children would rather be caught being good than be scolded for doing something bad. Focus on the good in your child and he'll give you more kind behavior.

Give your kids the affirmations they crave. Either tell them out loud or send them little love letters. Let me know the results. I'm always interested.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to send love letters, discover 71 other affirmations in my Parent Affirmation Kit. It helps other parents worldwide. It can help you too. Pick it up at:

http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd009

Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Skills ~ 3 Parenting Tips for Building Character

Dear Parent,

Good Character includes positive social skills. With good social skills your child will treat others with respect and make lifelong friends. Look inside to find 3 parenting tips for teaching your child how to do both.

Social skills are easy to learn when you help. Role-play each skill with your child. Tell him to practice on other kids during the week. Then have him share his results with you.

Learn How to Teach These 3 Social Skills to Teach Your Child:

1. Look other kids in the eye when you speak.

   "Looking kids in the eye shows them you aren't shy and that you are interested in them. They'll like it when you look them in the eye as they speak. Let's role-play."

    

2. Introduce new kids to your friends.

   "This helps the new kid feel welcomed. Include the new kid in conversations too. She'll like you for it. She'll enjoy being your friend too. Let's role-play."

    

3. Take turns when speaking.

   "Avoid hogging the spotlight. Listen and speak. Enjoy having a two-sided conversation. Your friend will enjoy talking with you. You'll learn interesting things about him. He'll learn interesting things about you too."

Teach one new skill a week. Teaching your child social skills is a wonderful way to show your love. Social skills help your child make friends now and prepare them for the future too.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to raise your child with a positive social character, discover 47 other social skills in my Social Skills Kit for Kids. It helps other parents worldwide. It can help you too. Pick it up at:

Social Skills Kit

Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

 

Parenting Tips ~ TV and Creative Kids

Dear Parent,

Do your kids watch too much TV? Are you worried by the violence, sex, and bad manners they see? Do you wonder which TV ideas rattle around in their heads? Inside find out what some parents did.

My cousins, Michele and Mark, tell parents, "Reduce watching TV!" This is what they did with their boys:

1. Played family games.
2. Explored wood shapes and shells washed up on the nearby beach.
3. Created fun games together.
4. Read books.
5. Built forts and a club house.

I've seen the results. Both boys are in excellent colleges. One is in graduate school. In fact, they live together in another state. When they come home to visit, they are friendly, enthusiastic, and fun to talk with.

Let's did a little deeper. You won't have to worry about TV influencing your child's thoughts and actions if you turn it off. Your children will learn to entertain themselves. Their creativity will grow. What a payoff!

Consider turning off the TV. Encourage your children to live their own lives instead of watching someone else's on television.

With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

 

Be an exceptional parent! Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to raise kids with character, consider my FREE Parenting Tips – 21 of the Best. They're at the top of the page. Find out what other parents think!

Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 

Family Values ~ Lovers are Better Parents

In a few months, I'll have a Marriage Guide ready for you. Inside this blog you'll find three of my 121 dating tips for parents.

My marriage began 40 years ago. Throughout the early poverty years, the many challenges and everyday problems, my husband and I have remained lovers. From time to time I will share my secrets to help you remain lovers too. Best of all, you'll be raising your kids in a stable, loving, and secure home. What better gift can you offer them!

Dating ~ 3 No-Cost Dates for Parents:

1. Star gaze together. We live in a beautiful world. All we have to do is look up and contemplate the stars and the moon at night. What movie could be more breathtaking! Star gazing is inspirational, sparkling, and free. Don't forget to hold hands too.

    

2. Set aside a special time to walk and talk about your children. Emphasize how wonderful they are, their sense of humor, and their special talents.

    

    

3. After you put the kids to bed, cook a candlelight dinner together. After dinner, move the table and make room for dancing.

When you remain lovers, you'll be better parents. Remember the fun times you had before you married? Having children is no reason to stop enjoying each other. Try these dates and let me know what you think.

Send me your opinions and questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS