Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment from school. He's very excited about it and puts in a lot of time to perfect it. He's thrilled with the result and can't wait to take it to school.
A few days later, he comes through the door, picks a fight with a younger sibling and bursts into tears. Finally, he manages to tell you that the project he was so proud of was 'unacceptable,' that the teacher wants him to do it over.
What's your first reaction?
a) Protective - "I'll straighten this out."
b) Embarrassed - "MY son always gets good grades."
c) Angry - "That teacher is picking on my son!"
d) Worried - "This could be damaging to his self esteem."
e) Grateful- "He's got someone who's really going to push him to reach his potential this year."
I think that lots of parents want to believe that 'e' is the right answer.... I just remember wishing that it wasn't so difficult to stifle all of the other reactions on my way to that answer! Sometimes the urge to protect goes a bit too far.
As parents, it's not our job to see that our children never experience sadness, disappointment or frustration. As much as most of us would like to, we're probably not going to be able to keep those things out of their lives -- now OR when they become adults. But, we can do the next best thing.
We can invest the time that it takes to prepare them to face life's struggles.
Instead of trying to shield our kids from 'negativity' let's help them embrace tough situations. Why not use the bumps provided by the classroom or the playground to build the strengths they'll need when applying for a job or surviving an unhappy supervisor?
Isn't that real learning?
Andrea Patten is the co-author of What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement now available on Amazon.com
To find out more about The Four Foundations or to request that Andrea speak to your group, please visit http://www.whatkidsneedtosucceed.com
"....because you're not raising a child, you're raising a future adult!"
monthly home cleaning Buffalo Grove ..As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
We take it for granted that children know how money... Read More
Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
Annie easily slipped into becoming the sole caregiver of her... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Most people have more training before they receive their driver's... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
On a bright Sunday morning, a couple of weeks ago,... Read More
Q: Whenever we tell my daughter "no," she just bugs... Read More
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical,... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
MYTH: If you have not parented as well as you... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Start some gardening traditions with your kids. Give them their... Read More
Vinegar or honey, what do kids really want? "Toys, candy,... Read More
Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Parenting |