children – Page 2 – Personal Growth Cafe

March 7, 2018January 7, 2018

How to Help Your Children Develop a Positive Outlook on Life

When you equip your children a positive outlook, you’re setting them up for a happy and successful life.

Don’t believe me?

Well, who do you think would be most successful?

The person who believes he can achieve anything, become whomever he wants, and follows up with swift action, or:

The person who complains about anything, is indifferent about everything, and gets nothing done out of feelings of hopelessness.

Obvious, huh?

You see, children have such an amazing ability to learn.

They’re babies one day, and the next they’re learning language and life skills at a rate much faster than any adult can.

This gives us, as parents, a very important and sometimes overwhelming duty: to teach our children every day.

There are many things you can do each day to foster a positive outlook in your kids, but having a positive outlook yourself is the most important thing you can do to help your children grow.

Let them know they make a positive difference in your life and love them unconditionally.

Keep the following tips in mind to help your children develop a positive outlook:

1. Lead by example. From a young age, your children pick up on more than you know.

While you may live by the notion that you should always put your kids first, you also have to concentrate on your own self-development.

Because, when you think positively, so will your kids.

2. Watch your reactions. Just as with leading by example, you must watch your reactions, especially when things go awry.

If someone gets hurt or you learn some bad news, fight the urge to have a negative reaction. If you yell or outwardly worry, you’ll affect your children.

Teach your children that sometimes things don’t go our way, but eventually the tides will turn.

3. Find the silver lining in challenges. As your children learn and develop, they’ll be faced with all sorts of challenges.

Some of them will be easy, while others are more challenging.

Be sure to point out the silver lining in any challenge your child may be facing.

It’ll help them to see your point of view when they’re facing challenges alone.

4. Help them change their thinking. When you’re child is in the midst of a tough challenge, he may bring up the idea of giving up.

Do your best to bring wisdom to the situation to know when your child simply needs to be pushed further.

Perhaps there’s an angle to the problem that your child hasn’t tried yet.

Nudge them in the right direction until they find the success they seek.

5. Promote laughter.

Laughter breeds happiness and positive feelings. Your children will each have a unique sense of humor.

Play into your child’s humorous side by promoting situations that your child finds funny.

You can play games, go to shows, or simply have a good time together as a family.

A Happy Healthy Home

When you remember to treat your children in a calm and loving manner, they’ll be more likely to do the same.

If your child tends to panic, don’t scold them for this behavior.

Put them at ease as best as you can and show them that there’s a solution to their problem.

If you panic, the situation may spiral into an unhealthy cycle.

In the end, there’s no right or wrong way to raise your kids.

Do what’s best for your family in the way you know how.

When you maintain a happy and healthy home, your children will learn to have hope and think positively!

When was the last time you spent time with your kids?

How do you teach them about being positive in life?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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November 28, 2017

8 Ways to Foster a Joy of Learning in Your Children

When you foster the love of learning in your children, you set them up for a lifetime of happiness and success.

Children are born with a drive to learn and explore the world around them, and parents have the ability to nudge them in the direction of continuous learning.

Your ultimate goal as a parent should be to discover your child’s preferred method of learning.

You can do this by encouraging them to pursue hobbies that they find exciting and enriching.

You also need to maintain the wisdom to know when your children might need an extra push in a certain area or whether they need to change their course entirely.

Consider some of these simple strategies to foster a joy of learning:

1. Reading Stories. Your children are never too young to enjoy a story. Start reading to them when they’re babies and you’ll foster a lifetime of love for the subject.

When it comes to reading, as long as they keep practicing the skill they’ll keep getting better at it.

Encourage your children to read more, regardless of their age or topic of interest, as long as it’s age-appropriate.

2. Get Excited About New Things. It’ll help if you maintain a certain excitement about the things your child discovers.

When they’re babies, cheer when they learn to walk or roll over. Cheer as they learn to ride bikes.

Continue to show excitement every time they start something new.

3. Be Inspired Yourself. It’s important to remain inspired and continue to go after your own wants and dreams.

In life you never stop learning. If your children see your personal love of learning, they’ll be inspired, too.

4. Give Your Child a Choice. While you don’t have to allow your child to do whatever they want, you can still give them a choice in what they’d like to pursue.

When children have a choice, they feel like what they think makes a real difference, and it does! Let them choose their own books, hobbies, and so on.

5. Stay Involved with School. Make sure you stay on top of the topics that your children are learning in school.

You kids will like the attention and they’ll appreciate that you’re involved in their life.

You can go over assignments at home or you can even have frequent meetings with your child’s teachers.

6. Field Trips. Maybe your children will be scheduled to go on field trips with their school.

If not, you can always create your own field trips for afternoons and weekends. Schedule field trips that pertain to your child’s personal interests.

They will certainly be inspired to learn more and you’ll still be personally involved in their lives.

7. Show Your Support. It’s always important to show your children support no matter what.

Even if they’ve chosen a subject to pursue that you don’t enjoy, as long as it’s appropriate, it’s important to be there for your child.

If they suspect that you’re unhappy with their personal decisions, they may be less likely to continue with their studies.

8. Provide Resources. While you may not always have a great deal of cash available for your children’s hobbies, it’s a good idea to provide them with the necessary resources to allow them to fully pursue their interests.

When they’re toddlers and young children, it can mean just providing them educational and age appropriate toys.

It may be more of a financial burden when they’re older because you may need to invest in advanced training or camps.

You really only want what’s best for your children.

You’ll soon realize that as long as you remain loving and accepting, your children will continue to come to you for guidance and advice.

When you start learning with them while they’re young, fostering a love of learning will come naturally.

What is your child’s attitude towards learning?

Which among the items on the list above would be most useful for your child?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 22, 2017

When I am with my children, my full attention is with them.

Each moment with my children is special and I am fully present when I am with them.

I am a focused parent who is physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually present in every moment with my children.

I offer the gift of my full attention, and I am able to notice subtle changes that happen every day as they learn and grow.

The freckles that appear in larger numbers every day, the hair that is stretching closer and closer to my child’s eyes: these are engraved upon my mind.

I am aware of the smell of their hair when they are fresh from their baths, as well as the outdoor smell they carry when they come in from playing.

There is only one moment with my children – the moment that I am in right now.

I am fully with them in this moment. My body holds them on my lap, my mind is engaged in conversation with them and I listen to their every word. In each moment with my children, my spirit soars.

Today I choose to be present and fully aware of my children. My busy schedule can be put on hold because when I am with my children, I give them my all.

I treasure each moment with them as if it were a gift, because they are truly priceless.

Have you given your attention to your children today?

Have you become fully present in each moment you are with your children?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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September 6, 2017September 26, 2017

5 Easy Guidelines For Raising Emotionally Healthy Children

Emotionally healthy children do better in school, find more success as adults, and lead happier lives. They can be happy and fulfilled as they grow up.

Follow these strategies to increase your children’s emotional wellbeing:

1. Be open about your feelings.

The world isn’t always positive, and you may have struggles. It helps your children understand your feelings if they see the reality of the world.

* Kids copy their parents, so they’ll mimic your emotions.

* As an emotionally healthy adult, you’ll show your kids that it’s normal to have both positive and negative feelings. If you’re open about them, they’ll be able to learn from you.

* You may be tempted to protect your children from your real emotions. However, you won’t help them this way, and you’ll miss a teaching opportunity.

2. Avoid judging feelings.

Adults sometimes criticize others and their feelings. Your kids are always watching, so they learn to judge others too.

* When you judge and criticize the emotions of others, you show your kids that it’s normal to make fun of or mock other people. They can suffer emotional damage because they learn to criticize others or become scared to show their own feelings.

* It’s also important to avoid labeling feelings as good or bad. Sometimes you may be happy, and sometimes you may be sad, but both are normal. Kids shouldn’t feel ashamed of their feelings.

3. Avoid telling your kids how to feel.

When you try to control a child’s emotions, it leads both of you down a dangerous path.

* You can’t control every aspect of your child’s life. If you try to tell children how to feel, they become scared to show their true emotions. They learn that they can’t be honest about their feelings, so they stifle or hide them. * When you tell your kids they have to be happy, you prevent them from figuring out why they don’t feel this way.

* Parents often feel that their kids are an extension of their personalities and expect them to act and feel the same way. However, each child is a unique individual. You can’t expect them to feel the same way as you.

4. Resolve your emotional wounds.

You’ll find it difficult to teach your kids how to deal with their feelings when you’re struggling with your own. Kids naturally copy their parents, so they may pick up on your traumas.

* Take care to prevent the emotional wounds from your past or present from carrying over to your children.

5. Ask questions.

Kids benefit from opportunities to discuss their emotions. Ask questions and find out how they feel, rather than assuming what they’re feeling.

* When you ask about their feelings, your kids will learn to articulate them. They’ll learn to express their thoughts and emotions.

Emotionally healthy children grow up to be successful and happy adults. They’ll also be able to use these skills when they get older and face challenges.

The ability to be emotionally available and knowledgeable is a powerful tool. Your kids will enjoy great advantages from learning about their feelings.

What do you do when your kids don’t behave as you expected?

What do you plan on doing to help your child react better emotionally?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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September 4, 2017September 26, 2017

The way we talk to our children become our inner voice. – Peggy O’Mara

August 31, 2017September 26, 2017

To Parents Who Want to Help Their Children Appreciate Music

Are you a parent who’s concerned that your children may be missing out when it comes to music education?

Budget cuts in arts programs at public schools could limit your child’s opportunities to play an instrument or learn about the great composers.

Help your child discover how music can enrich their life. Take a look at the benefits of raising a music lover, and find out how to share your love of music with your child.

Benefits of Music Education:

1. Enhance academic performance.

Some studies have shown that kids who can play instruments receive higher SAT scores. Engaging with music involves math, science, and memory skills, as well as motor coordination.

2. Explore other cultures. Even if your knowledge of French is limited to Frere Jacques, you realize how rhymes make it easier to speak other languages. Music also provides a window into how others live around the world.

3. Promote teamwork.

Bands and orchestras collaborate and resolve challenges. Each member waits their turn and respects the others’ contributions.

4. Teach delayed gratification.

Video games like Guitar Hero may be fun, but they don’t really teach you to play guitar. Kids who practice with a real instrument experience the rewards of perseverance.

5. Build confidence.

Racking up tangible accomplishments boosts self-esteem. Performing before a live audience can also be an early lesson in leadership and presentation abilities.

Encouraging Your Child’s Music Appreciation:

1. Start early.

Many experts think that the capacity for musical sensibility peaks between birth and age, nine so use age-appropriate methods. Your baby loves the sound of your voice, so chant while you rock them. Encourage your toddler to make noise with homemade shakers and drums.

2. Sing together.

Babies will often mimic any sound you make, while slightly older kids will enjoy silly songs. By the time they’re ready for elementary school, you can start introducing simple concepts like tempo and beat.

3. Share activities.

Keep it interesting with crafts and outings. Draw pictures of instruments to color, and check neighborhood calendars for children’s performances.

4. Broaden their exposure.

Drench your home in pleasant sounds. Play classical music and jazz on the radio. Offer sheet music and books.

Supporting Your Child’s Music Studies:

1. Talk with the teacher.

Choose a music instructor with a warm personality who can describe their lesson plan in convincing detail. Ask them how you can assist your child, especially if you don’t know much about music yourself.

2. Attend classes.

Your child might feel more comfortable if you go with them to classes at first. Try to observe closely without distracting them from listening to the teacher.

3. Praise effort.

Let your child know you recognize their progress. Be specific about what they’re doing well, whether it’s practicing on a daily basis or playing an entire piece without hitting a single wrong note.

4. Show enthusiasm.

Show up for each performance that you possibly can. Give a big round of applause and take pictures for posterity. Help your child stay on track by engaging them in setting daily goals and figuring out activities of their own for holiday breaks and summer vacation.

5. Make it fun.

Remember that the main purpose is to help your child enjoy music, so let them decide how far they want to go. Let them know you love them just as much if they want to trade in their piano lessons for horseback riding. Make symphonies and pop songs part of your family activities.

Increasing your child’s understanding of music will enhance their performance in many arenas, and give them a source of joy and relaxation they can count on throughout their lives.

How has music influenced your life?

Why do you want your children to love it too?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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