This is yet another list for me to collect ideas that I will use
somewhere down the road, and you are welcome to as well. As usual,
please feel free to make suggestions, and if it is something I think has
a place on the list, I will not only add it into the post, I will give
you credit via a link back to your blog (should you have one).
Parenting Ideas
Description: Once in awhile, through all those suggestions that are thrown at you from everyone from the dry cleaner to the grandmothers, a couple gems float to the top. I want to remember how to be the best parent I can be, and I may not always remember the right idea at the right time. I hope this list helps me stay on top of my parenting game, even if just a little bit.
- Going to the beach? Take along baby powder - it's a miracle worker with getting sand of everyone's legs and feet.
- Bored Jar: If your child child complains of boredom, they have to pick a slip from the jar and do the activity, good or bad. It might be going for ice cream, it might be cleaning their room.
- Leave love notes on your child's pillow when they least expect one.
- Hug your child every day when they wake up and when they get home from school.
- Timers set definite boundaries. For example, with a timer, you can say,
"I'm setting the timer. I want your room cleaned (or your shoes on, or
the dishes unloaded) in 15 minutes. If you haven't finished by then,
your correction is…." This method not only spurs on easily distracted
children, but it also leaves little room for arguing about a job that
isn't finished and whether the correction is warranted.Say something great about your child to someone else, knowing your child can hear you (but not necessarily with your child standing right there).
- Make fun shaped sandwiches for lunches using cookie cutters.
- Set family rules. “Our family rule
is that the room has to be clean by 5:00 each day. Either you can clean
it or I will. But, anything that I find laying around will go into a
box in the garage and be unavailable for the next week." If your son
doesn’t have his uniform for practice, he’ll learn an important lesson
when he explains to the coach why he’s not prepared. If you find that
your kids don’t even miss the toys or clothes that you hauled out to the
garage, that lets you know they probably have more than they need and
it’s time for a big donation to Goodwill Industries.
- Come up with a secret word, phrase, or hand gesture that means "I love you" so you and your child can communicate without them being embarrassed in front of their friends.
- Next time your child "forgets" to put something away, like video games
or sports equipment, put it away for him. When he asks where it is, tell
him that he'll just have to look for it. Believe me; he will learn that
it's a lot more trouble to find something that Mom has hidden than it
is to put it away in the first place.
- Ignore phone calls during quality time, and make it clear you are choosing to be with your child instead.
- Decorate your child's mirror with a fun surprise message.
- Your words help your child build self-esteem. Tell her she is beautiful. Praise specific
features of her body. Encourage her to wear clothing that makes her
feel comfortable. Let her choose her hair length. Allow her choices
with clothing. Realize it's okay if clothing is sometimes wrinkled or
mismatched. Be there with love and affection when someone teases her.
- Send your kiddo something in the mail with an actual STAMP! What could be more fun?
- If time-outs don't work, try a "time-in." This can be
accomplished by sending your child to a designated spot where he must
complete a task that has a definite beginning and end. This could be
putting together a small puzzle, stringing 50 beads on a piece of yarn,
or tracing the alphabet. A time-in diverts his energies and encourages
him to focus on something positive.
- If your child likes to stomp off to his room or stomp around in anger,
send him outside to the driveway and tell him to stomp his feet for one
minute. He'll be ready to quit after about 15 seconds, but make him
stomp even harder.
- Use a WHEN-THEN routine. “WHEN your room is clean
(which means I can see your entire floor and the horizontal surfaces are
clear of clutter) THEN, you can have your TV time, or THEN we’ll leave
or practice, or THEN you can join us for dinner.” Creating a When-Then
routine in which the room must be cleaned before a more enjoyable part
of the routine occurs – creates a natural incentive. If you follow a
When-Then routine every single day- there’s no need to fuss or fight
about it. As my mother-in-law says, it’s the law. It’s just the way we
do things around here. That’s called “letting the routine be the boss”
so you don’t have to be.
- Watch what you say! Don't
criticize your own body. Never make fun of the way someone else looks. Say that
cosmetics make us look different or fancier not prettier. Never say,
"I wish I looked like her." Don't freak out if she gets dirty. Avoid
fawning over beautiful models and actresses.
- Lead by example: Limit access to media. Provide your daughter with dolls with dark
and light skin. Don't always wear makeup. Provide healthy food
to make it more likely for your child to have a healthy body. Encourage physically
active play and activities. Wear a swimsuit even if you don't feel like
wearing one, so you can swim with your child. Develop a social circle that
expands outside your likely-homogenous neighborhood. Eat all foods in moderation.
Provide opportunities for your child to develop her unique talents. Celebrate
exercise for making the heart healthy. Celebrate acts of the heart.
What else???
