Friday, May 1, 2009

stress-free parenting lesson 1- for children under 8

I decided I will share some of my techniques in parenting...

1- Always let your children help in the kitchen! If you shoo them out when they're young, they won't want to help (or won't know HOW to help) when they're older. Don't 're-do' what they did because you think it's not good enough!
Side note: Today Danni and I were rolling our tortillas and singing church songs. One song was about returning to Heavenly Father. She said, "That's where I'm going! I'm going to be with Heavenly Father again, it's been years since I've seen Him."

2- Expect them to follow through, once a 'safety net' is provided, then they'll always think you'll get them out of a bind. It might be an 'F' in school, but that's better than an adult who can't take responsibility later.

3- Mud won't kill them, and most of the time it washes out. Let your kids play in the mud! Let them explore their world. I watched Danni on the way into a dentist's office step straight into a puddle, and it looked like fun!

4- Get real! Kids can handle most truths, so don't sugar coat things. Especially when it comes to the sex talk!

5- Let them dress themselves. I had to go around with kids in cowboy boots and shorts, or plaid shirts with stripped pants, or hair that was self styled and decorated with all my kids. Let them be! That's where their personality develops.

6- Play, sing, read, and laugh with your child!

That's all for now - do you have any to add? -any tips for teenagers would be greatly appreciated:-)

3 comments:

JoEllen said...

I LOVE all your tips. My grandmother always said, "it's okay, it'll wash." She always encouraged us to explore. Go play outside, taste the vanilla extract, and we always helped in the kitchen.

I love that Little Sal helps me with the cooking and baking. Our cutout cookies may not be perfectly frosted, but hey, they still taste great! :)

I love your list!

Erika said...

Thanks for the advice. Ella's been getting into picking out her own clothes lately and sometimes I REALLY don't care for her choice...especially when I see really cute clothes sitting next to her outfit of choice.

Lorinda said...

Thanks, especially for #5. Innately I know this, and I'm usually good about it, BUT my little 4yo looks SO cute with her hair done MY way that sometimes I forget that it is indeed HER hair. You are a wonderful mother! I still dream of your whole wheat pizza with yogurt!

David

David
Real cool guy!

Tawnymara

Tawnymara
Here is beauty!

Harrison

Harrison
Hunky boy!

Eve

Eve
Green eyed goddess

Aurora

Aurora
Perfect in every way

Danielle

Danielle
Princess angel girl

Enoch

Enoch
Nobody is more loved