--Let someone in front of you at the check-out counter. If you’ve got a huge basketful of items, let the person behind you with fewer in front. It will send your child the signal that other people matter, too.
--Collect some toys your children no longer play with and give them to a family in need. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. And you’ll make some much-needed space in your own closet as well.
--Reconsider your reaction in traffic. Screaming into the steering wheel impacts how your children deal with stress. Take three deep belly breaths, exhaling twice as slow as you inhale.
--Animals are a great way to teach empathy. If you have your own house pet, involve your children in its care. It will teach your children the value of caring for others who are dependent on them.
--Hold the door for people as you walk through the door at the store. A small gesture of kindness shows your children it’s a natural way of being.
--If you see a parking meter about to expire, ask your child to toss in a coin to prevent the person from getting a ticket. It will teach them that sometimes being kind will not be directly rewarded with praise, but the good feeling inside is priceless.
You needn’t smother someone in kindness to teach your children about other-regarding behavior. Love can be shown in many ways. It’s as simple as the toss of a coin or the extension of a tender, loving hand.
Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of Diary of a Mother and SAHM I Am: Tales of a Stay-at-Home Mom in Europe, is a freelance writer living near Munich, Germany with her husband and two kids. For more parenting ideas, subscribe to her Powerful Families, Powerful Lives newsletter at http://www.diaryofamother.com.
At this stage in life, the concepts of right and wrong are not possible to teach. Rather, an infant who is shown warmth,cuddling and loving attention is likely to grow into a healthy and happy adult.
1 - 2 YEARS
Rather than scolding a child or arguing with him about misbehaver, try to take preventative measures beforehand. If you don't want him pulling things out the cupboards, make sure they are secured. At this age of short attention span, discipline beyond a simple "no" is unnecessary and can have undesirable effects.
2 - 4 YEARS
Children of this age, unable to understand abstractions such as generosity and truth, imitate their parents. So set an example.Be firm in disallowing undesirable behavior, but do so in a kind and friendly manner, without attempting to explain why.
4 - 6 YEARS
This is the time where you can really take some positive steps to reinforce your child's positive behavior. Give him lots of praise when it's due. Children of this age respond well to simple reasoning and explanations. Concepts such as truthfulness and generosity can be introduced. Continue to set an example of acceptable behavior. The child at this stage wants to please you and wants to be liked by others.
5 - 8 YEARS
Children develop a greater social awareness at this age. They understand the basic rights of others when taught fairness, values and the need to follow certain rules of behavior. Rules and limitations not only seem just to the child, but give him agood feeling of security.
8 - 11 YEARS
Due to natural growth and influences outside the home, your child has likely become more independent. He may begin to question your decisions, contradict or argue. You must remain firm in the important matters and flexible in less important ones. Demonstrate and discuss the child's duties and responsibilities to friends, relatives and society. Set examples of moral behavior. Sex education can also be important at this stage.
12 - 17 YEARS
These are normally rebellious years for most teenagers. In fact, teenagers who never rebel are probably in emotional trouble. As a parent you must weather the storm when your eenager begins to question and test conventional values, rules and beliefs. If you've instilled a sense of values at an early age, chances are he still retains many of those ideas. Try to keep lines of communication open and don't push the panic button. If communication does break down and tensions mount considerably, seek professional help.
18 YEARS AND OVER
At this stage most young adults are forming, or have formed,their own set of values. However, life still holds for them many unanswered questions, and a warm yet honest relationship can still go a long way in helping them reach mature adulthood.
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Both Christine Louise Hohlbaum Hohlbaum & C Laroy 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.
Christine Louise Hohlbaum Hohlbaum has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting. Christine Louise Hohlbaum, author of Diary of a Mother and SAHM I Am: Tales of a Stay-at-Home Mom in Europe, is a freelance writer living near Munich, Germany with her husband and two kids. For more parenting ideas, subscribe to her Powerful Families, Pow. Christine Louise Hohlbaum Hohlbaum's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.
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