SHOW KIDS YOU CARE

Notice the children and give them an appropriate sense of self.

Children need tender loving care. They also need affirmation. All the adults in their lives put into their lives and are giving them a sense of self. Your words and actions matter a great deal and leave lasting imprints that project into the future. Positive words and actions are empowering.

Children need parameters and established boundaries. It is important to teach youth that some things are good and some are not okay. Model appropriate behaviors for them and plan ways to create a safe environment in your home. Make sure you commend children for right behaviors. All children need to be cared for and nurtured. Chaos happens when the environment is out of control. With a little thought, this can be improved and provide what the children need.

Teachers, parents, grandparents, coaches, youth leaders, ministers and others will communicate messages to their youthful charges. They are helping build a whole person one word at a time. Wrong messages often stem from frustration, lack or organization, and lack of consistency.

Focus on helping children grow into responsible adults by helping them participate. People need structure to build upon to hold it together like a body needs its skeletal system to support the body. By paying attention to structure and nurture causes a child to feel wanted in their environment.

Parents teach their children about strangers to keep them aware and safe. Be careful in how you interact with children. Be a safe person. Do make the effort to acknowledge children. Do the extras if they are in your care.

 Here are a few simple ways you can show any child that you care.

Notice them. 

Smile a lot.

Acknowledge them.

Learn their names.

Seek them out.

Remember their birthdays.

Children are like sponges. They soak up the attention and guidance you give them. They need it.

Children will listen after they have learned to listen. We, as adults, learn to speak with quiet authority and to not overdo it. They respond to care, and they respond to being treated with respect. Lack of respect towards them results in them reacting, acting out, or defending themselves. Respectful behavior is taught, modeled, given, and should be the expectation for everyone in the family.

Much has been written about raising children. I think one area has been neglected. Parents are in control, not the children. You are in charge. Don't give the children all the power to make all the choices. They are not ready for it and will become what we used to call "spoiled" or "brats" when they control the home. They will have more voice as they mature and show responsibility.

There are ways to do this. You might want to read about this subject.on my other blog: Intentional Parenting: 21 Tips for How to Parent Children.

Be in control but don't be harsh. Use appropriate consequences. Love well. Be kind. Take time.