Parenting With Teacher Nancy

Last week we looked at the top 10 parenting skills.  The top three, the most important, have nothing to do with your child: 1) Love and Affection 2) Stress Management 3)Relationship Skills.  If you practice these skills you  are able to use your soft skills.  When you use your soft skills at home it models and teaches your child how to incorporate them into their life. Some soft skills are self-control, teamwork, emotional intelligence, kindness, work ethic, adaptability/flexibility and grit...  Research shows learning soft skills in the home and at a young age can have important outcomes later in life: children perform well in school and in their careers, have healthy and supportive relationships, and make more money.  In the meanwhile, they may experience "helper's highs" and feel better about themselves, others, and their place in this world. Stop Trying to Raise Successful Kids and Start Raising Kind Ones Learning Soft Skills In Childhood Can Prevent Harder Proble

This week, read the article "What Makes a Good Parent? A scientific analysis ranks the 10 most effective child-rearing practices. Surprisingly, some don't even involve the kids" by Robert Epstein. In the beginning of this semester, we will focus on the top three, the most important ones. What Makes A Good Parent ? Are there practices there that surprise you? On a similar note, gratitude is supposed to help with stress management, and make us better with relationships. The Power of Gratitude In Parenting Don't forget to begin your gratitude journal/list in your Notes app, and try to add on to it at least once a week.  It may be helpful to create four categories: Simple Pleasures, Partner/Co-Parent, Child/ren, Other. Try this. BOOK DISCUSSION This semester we will be reading  Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids by Laura Markham.   We will discuss the introduction the week of February 3, and then,  Part 1: Regulating Yourself, starting the week of February 10. We w

It's time to remind ourselves that our children usually act their age.  When we understand their developmental stage, it's easier for us not to blame our children or ourselves for their behavior and grow more empathy for your child and your parenting. Here are resources with a quick overview on your child's development, common issues and what you can do at this stage. Zero to Three Age Based Handouts (0-36 months) Three to Four Year Olds Four to Five Year Olds Elementary through  Adolescent Ages Consider This: Did anything surprise you about your child's development? Is there any suggestions on the list you want to try? GRATITUDE PRACTICE This semester, a gratitude practice will be incorporated. Much   research show benefits of this practice are abundant: less stress, anxiety and depression, better health, longer life, optimism... Also, other research show grateful parents raise grateful children. An easy way to begin your practice is by creating a Gratit