Simple Kindness: #10

BE THE KIND OF PARENT YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE

During our busiest child rearing years, we can easily get caught up in the practical details of meeting our family's needs and dealing with immediate situations.

Our attention is so much on the here-and-now that we often don't notice how time and our own words are shaping our child's character. We want our children to become confident, happy, disciplined, loving, and able to defend and take care of themselves. But, we can't help them toward these goals without consciously focusing on the long-term effects of what we do. It takes deliberate effort, time, love, and much patience to guide our children and set them on a good path through life.


REMINDERS

* Continually show your children with words and actions that you love, value, and truly accept them. Make their welfare your highest priority.

* Give them steady guidance. In ways appropriate to their ages, remind them often of how to act, stop them from behaving badly, and teach them your values. Don't belittle them, hit them, or compare them to others.

* Give your children hope that their futures will be great and that they can overcome problems. Set the stage for an interesting life by involving them in sports, arts, science, reading and various hobbies.

* Show each of your children equal love. Step in to stop sibling rivalry; pay more attention to each of your children so they'll feel fairly treated.

* As your children go off and attend college or make their own homes, respect their independence but continue to offer love, encouragement, help, and guidance. Make it easy for them to stay connected to family.

* Foster their ability to be self-sufficient rather than to rely upon others for every thing. Have them comprehend, by your own example, how to relate to a partner and compromise within a relationship that is mutually honest and respectful.


SIMPLE KINDNESS= HOW TO BE KIND IN AN OFTEN RUDE WORLD