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[G197]Get Up Kids Live

by George Hapgood, Geo

1. Choose the right plants

Kids will more likely choose plants and flowers with bright colors, so have a load of varieties of plants. Examples of bright flowers are zinnias and cosmos; these will keep your children fascinated. Don't forget the sunflowers. Anything that is tall and fuzzy will surely overwhelm a kid. Make sure these plants will not cause any allergic reactions from your kid.

2. Starting seeds

Give your children the freedom to help you with the staring seeds. Some seeds might be too small for the tiny fingers, but their digits can be of help in covering them with dirt.

3. Home Gardening Memoir

To last the kids' enthusiasm until the plants grow, make them create a home gardening journal. This activity will allow them to use their imagination to sketch on what the plants will be like and write down when they placed in the ground the seeds and when they first witnessed a sprout pushing up.

4. Make sure that the garden is somewhere very visible for the kids.

Before you start home gardening, pick a spot where the kids often play or walk by. Every time they see and pass by their garden, the more they will sight changes.

5. Dirt playing

Always remember that children are fond of playing with dirt or mud. They can help you ready the soil, even if what they are only doing is stomping on the clumps. To make home gardening with the kids more fun, you can provide them with kid-sized tools to make home gardening very engaging for them.

6. Your kids own the garden

A picture of each plant will enable the children to foresee what the flowers will look like. You can also put your child's name on a placard, so everyone can see that it's their garden.

7. Playing with the water

Playing with water is right up there with playing with dirt. Look for a small watering can that they can use to water their garden. You can show them how to let the water go right to the roots of the plants. Hoses want only trouble. They are simply formidable for little hands to control.

8. Kids commit mistakes

Adults, too, are sometimes impatient. Give the kids full control to their garden. If they create a mess, let it be, it's their mess. Allow them to get pleasure from it and take dignity in their own piece of territory. Just don't forget to tell them how to clean up that mess.

"I Wanna Quit" is a phrase we never like to hear. As parents, we know that that these three words start a predictable battle of push versus pull. We plead; "but you've always loved it!" We beg; "please just stay at it for three more weeks!" We even bribe; "if you keep up your lessons, I'll take you to your favorite restaurant when it's all over." And if that doesn't work, we give in.

It can be challenging not to give in to your children's pleas to quit when you know they're having a hard time. We hate to see them falter. We balk when they fall down. We want to protect them from harsh realities of failing or loosing even though we know that the one who stands back up and perseveres is the one who triumphs in life.

So how can we teach our children to commit to the end even when it's challenging? Here are some ways to teach your children to persevere:

(1) Adjust the family language: Use language at home that shows that your family is filled with winners who never give up. Ask your child...what do you hear people say when they're telling themselves not to quit? These phrases may be, "I can do it!" "Winners never quit, quitters never win," "It's not whether you win or lose but whether you stay in the game," or "I'll never give up!" Celebrate the moments when your children have used these phrases to motivate themselves and be sure to let them know when you've done the same.

(2) Point out perseverance in action: If your child exhibits perseverance, take notice and let them know you're proud! Say to your children; You met the challenge head on, kept your commitment, and achieved your goal. What great focus! You must feel terrific and I am so proud of you!" Your child will feel motivated by your encouraging praise. It also let's your child know that you notice his hard work and you value his commitment.

(3) Be a persevering role model: Allow your children to see the ways you persevere and discuss these successes with them. Tell your children about your commitment to follow through with the tasks you take on—even when they get difficult. Let them hear you say, "I will keep trying and never give up until I have reached my goal!"

(4) Agree on a family commitment motto: Call a family meeting and decide on a family motto when it comes to perseverance. For example: "Winners never quit, quitters never win", "Finish what you started," "Don't give up!" and "We will try, never fear, we will always persevere!" When you live by a family motto of commitment and perseverance, your children will hear it in their head when they are facing a challenge and will be much more likely to follow through.

(5) Remind them that to start is to commit: Be sure to explain to your children that each time they start something; they need to commit to an agreed amount of time. This might be a session, a year, or a full several-year program. Signing an agreement of commitment that can be hung on the refrigerator will help everyone understand that your family takes perseverance and commitment seriously.

(6) Don't give in: While it may seem easier for everyone, when you allow your child to drop out or stop trying, you teach them that it's OK to give up. Quitting less important things as a child may lead to a pattern of quitting more important things as a teen or an adult. Barring serious issues like broken bones or abusive coaches, encourage your children to follow through with their commitments once they've made them.

(7) Discuss the Sacrifice and Rewards of Commitment: We must help our child to understand that with commitment comes sacrifice as well as rewards. Committing to one thing might mean giving up participating in another. For example, a child who commits to participating in a sport may not have time to be in the school play. However, he will gain the camaraderie of being on team, the challenge of the competition, and the pride of achieving his goal. When your child understands that commitment may mean giving something up as well as gaining something fun or exciting, he will be able to make his decision based on all the facts.

Remember, the more you believe in the importance of commitment, model it for your family, and weave it into everyday family life, the more that your children will learn that quitting is not an option when aiming to complete a task or achieve a goal.

Article Source : Pg. 28

About Author

Both George Hapgood & Dr Robyn Silverman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

George Hapgood has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Vegetable Garden and Gardening. . George Hapgood's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.

Dr Robyn Silverman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Children and Kids and Teens. Child Development Specialist and success coach, Dr. Robyn Silverman, is a resource to both parents and educators. She has been pegged as "The Character Queen" for her insightful tips on everything from teaching children respect to discipline, confidence,. Dr Robyn Silverman's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.