Posts tagged modeling
Addressing Children’s Fears and Anxieties Without Shrugging Them Off
Addressing Children’s Fears and Anxieties Without Shrugging Them Off

Slow and Steady Wins the Race when it comes to overcoming anxieties and phobias. Too often it is hard for us to slow down and be empathetic with our children and their fears. And sometimes we are so afraid of upsetting them that we do everything we can to avoid the situation that triggers the fear. As with so many things, that answer lies in the middle. Help your child take baby steps towards mastering his fears. That way he will feel supported and seen and heard ; and at the same time you help him develop the skills and persistence he will need so much in life.

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Build Connections, Communication, Confidence, Growth Mindset, Parent as teacher, Parenting, TrustElisabeth Stittshyness, insecurity, anxiety, overcoming anxiety, patience, persistence, modeling, empathy, gritComment
Call it backbone, courage, determination or fortitude, it is all about GRIT and how we foster that in our children
Call it backbone, courage, determination or fortitude, it is all about GRIT and how we foster that in our children

When most people think of grit, they think of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  While that is an example of grit, most grit is of the less dramatic kind—the kind which allows a person to keep trying in the face of obstacles large and small.  

Setting out to develop grit in your child sounds a bit draconian, but you do want your child to develop the kind of persistence that will allow her to pursue things even when the pursuing feels hard or not worth it.  The best way to do this is to help your child see herself as being in process and to see challenges as something to go around rather than as something to stop you in your tracks.  

GET 3 TIPS FOR HOW TO DEVELOP GRIT IN YOUR CHILD. 

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Communication, Confidence, Independence, Parent as teacherElisabeth Stittgrit, fortitude, being in process, growth mindset, open-ended questions, modeling, critical thinkingComment
GETTING YOUR TWEEN AND TEEN KID TO SLEEP AT NIGHT
GETTING YOUR TWEEN AND TEEN KID TO SLEEP AT NIGHT

What are some bad sleep habits elementary school, tweens and teens have?

•Having their phones in their rooms with them.  Yes, a smart phone makes a good alarm, but not if kids are texting and checking social media all night, so better to get your child a conventional alarm clock.  

•Going fully speed ahead right up until bed time.  People need wind down time.  Just as when they were babies or toddlers, kids should have a routine that calms and soothes.

•Varying their bedtimes by a lot.  While the occasional late night can’t be avoided, sleep experts agree going to bed at around the same time every night is helpful.

•Trying to make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping until noon on Saturday.  

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Communication, Build Connections, Consistency, Effective Consequences, Parent as teacherElisabeth Stittsleep, teens, tweens, habits, exhaustion, modelingComment