NEW YEARS THOUGHTS FOR PARENTS

Every time your child smiles or gives you a hug, let it touch your heart.

Take time to notice and understand the importance of your job as a parent – is there any other job more important?

Give yourself a break, when you realise you have made a mistake or said something you regret or maybe over reacted to something – don’t beat yourself up, say sorry and start again.

On those days when your child/children are pushing all your buttons or maybe constantly fighting, (when you may feel like pulling the duvet over your head and not coming out of bed for a week), take a deep breath and walk away, take a few minutes before you react – your reaction will always decide the outcome – try not to overreact,

(This is not easy by any means but worth it, it becomes a habit in time).

EVENT + YOUR REACTION = OUTCOME

Try to put in the time and effort to make the memories your family will have forever.   Whether it is a weekly walk in the park, a family game at weekends,  reading with them – memories stay with them forever.

Encourage laughter at every opportunity, don’t be afraid to let yourself go and laugh out loud or do something silly – at their 21st, how would you like them to describe you as a parent?  Don’t be afraid to let your children see the fun part of you.

Try to remember what was important to you at their age; what frightened you, what made you happy, what were your dreams?  Things have not changed that much.  You are the most important person in your child's life, show them and tell them that they are the most important one in yours!  It is this love and security that will build strong self-belief and confidence in your child. Love them for who they are - too many kids/teens are trying to be someone they are not to please those they love and it is so damaging.  I see this in 'every' workshop I run without exception.  Allow them to have their own dreams, to have their own interests and to believe that they are great just as they are.

Never stop teaching them new skills - I find if you make a list of what you would like your child to learn over 3 months - it makes it easier to see it through.  Can they cook, can they iron, can they make decisions, can they do age appropriate jobs?   Can they walk to the shop, can they get a bus, can they ask for what they want in a shop, do they understand the value of money, do they understand the importance of saving money, do they understand values (particularly your family values)?

The list is endless, no one will teach them many of these things if you do not.  Our kids are growing up in a technological run world, they need to know how to live in the real world, confidently and with a sense of resilience and self-belief.  You are their No. 1 teacher.......try to take the time to teach them the important things in life.

“Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember,

Involve me and I learn”

-       Benjamin Franklin

“What a child doesn’t receive,

he can seldom later give”