Building Connections: These beliefs and actions build greater understanding and connections between parents and children. How much are you creating connection?
- Children’s basic nature is to love their parents. When they misbehave they are feeling disconnected and can’t think clearly, they lack maturity or could be trying to reach a goal through negative means. The important thing is to try to view their misbehavior from their perspective to help them meet their needs positively.
- Who you are, how you treat yourself and others, is more important than what you accomplish. You deserve to be loved unconditionally no matter what you do.
- I can laugh at my shortcomings and my child can laugh at hers/his.
- Each adult and child brings unique strengths to the family that compensate for shortcomings in others.
- My child is his/her own person and it is not for me to mold her/him into my own expectations. I will hold in check my judgment and criticism when it is hurtful.
- We all struggle and fall down in the process of learning. This is how we know we are growing. We can always pick each other up and try again.
- When my children get angry at me for my behavior, I will stop and take responsibility for my part rather than denying and defending myself.
- I will continue to show love no matter how difficult my children act.
©2013 Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com or call 650. 341.0779.
