Affirmations:
I take time to listen and respect what others want.
I acknowledge I don’t know what is best for others.
I forgive my mistakes and choose with more mindfulness.
I pay attention and learn from everyone, no matter what their age.
The
answers below can be applied to all ages, even ourselves!
Kids
Are Obvious.
Is anyone paying attention?
Their behavior
communicates, if we are paying attention.
If we cannot
understand, are we willing to listen?
If they do not do
what we ask, do we take the time to care?
My first response to a Mom who is
dealing with a 4 yr. old who throws fits.
Kids
copy what they see and hear.
What does he see?
What does he
hear?
Is he being
treated fairly and respectfully?
Start
with the basics.
Where has he
learned the behavior he displays?
Who listens to
him?
How do the adults
in his life respond to him?
Where and with whom does he “throw a fit?
Always look to
yourself and see what you can do different.
Start here and
then begin to look at what he needs more of.
Structure is
important and so is freedom.
Being
responsble is important and so is making good choices.
Can he choose
what he wants to eat and wear and do?
Is he doing what
is age appropriate?
Does he need
something different than you or day care provides?
This
behavior is also seen in rebellious teens and argumentive adults.
We often experience
the same behavior in kids 13-14, ten years later.
It is normal to try
to become more free and independent.
It is beneficial to
learn to make your own decisions.
Kids
may need guidance to make good decisions and do the right thing.
Kids of every age
need positive role models and good opportunities to make good choices.
Kids must be treated
with respect and given responsibilities appropriate for their age.
Parents often are
unaware of what fits their child’s level of development. (See
responsibility list below)
My
mom believed, “ Give everyone (kids) as much responsibility as they can
handle plus a little more to grow into!”
I believe we tend to
underestimate our kids and treat them in ways that limit their decision-making.
When they get “free”
of adult authority, they either act out and go crazy or are afraid and shut
down.
Our work is to make
the next generation, stronger and healthier, more conscious, caring and
capable.
Let’s
consider what we want for the next generation and give them the opportunity to
be their best.
Consciously and
respectfully,
Betty Lue