Sunday, November 23, 2008

Make The Most of Mistakes

When your child makes a mistake, try and point to the positive side.

Example: “You missed your goal, but it was good you took a risk and at least now you know what not to do next time."

You want your child to see the value and the lessons in mistakes.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Praise "Trying Again"

Encourage your children when they “try again.”

It takes a lot to try again. It's not easy to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and give it another go. This is a great feat even for most adults.

So when you see your child "trying again", then praise him or her for it. Make "trying again" a part of your child's definition for success by honoring it when you see it.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Define Success As Faithfulness and Perseverance

One of the dangers that parents face, especially fathers, is the tendency to want their children to win, or at least, not to fail. But failing is not a bad thing. Of course, failing without effort or failing and then not trying again is a bad thing. Throughout life your children will fail – how well, or how badly, they deal with it will affect their destinies.

I often tell my son, “Winning is not about “not” losing, it’s about not giving up.”

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Choose Your Battles

Discern the difference between your preferences and the really harmful things that need to be addressed.

My brother once told me, "My daughter is in to rap. I can't stand it."
I asked, "Well, is it rap with explicit lyrics?"
"No," came the reply.
"Then, relax. It's just a difference of preference. If it's not harmful, then don't pick a fight unnecessarily."

Fighting over everything can break down trust. Choose your battles.