* Make Your Child Feel Needed
If you wake up in the morning with important work to do… and then you do it… how good does that feel? Very good! So it is with your child. Every time he or she helps you, you will see amazing growth in stature right before your very eyes!
We continue our Monday tips today with “Pillar #4” Make Your Child Feel Needed. Learn more about all the “Pillars of Parenting” with this introduction… Then follow along in sequence as you scroll on from there.
Today we say… Seek your child’s help whenever possible. Sentences like “Please watch Emma for me” and “Go get the towel to keep the spill from spreading” are both examples of making your child feel important and valued. Parents often find children uncooperative when they ask them to do things in a random fashion. However, when they make their request as part of a meaningful situation, they often get a much better response.
Another way to show your child that he or she is valued is to ask for help with a task. While getting ready to go out, you might need your child to pack up a set of blocks in their original container. While preparing dinner, you might need him or her to fold napkins, pick up some toys, or put some items on the table. Another popular way to ask for help is with carrying things.
As you continue to seek assistance on an ongoing basis, remember to use the words, “please” and “thank you.” Those are the magic words in our culture. They are words of respect and appreciation. Use them to build respect and appreciation into your parent-child relationship. Remember, the way to teach your child to say “please” and “thank you” is to say them to your child.
It is interesting to note that even the smallest twist in your parenting can make a big difference.
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~ Dr. Sally
* Pillar Number 4 – Make Your Child Feel Needed
I love this post. Great idea! Kids love being asked to help and feel needed! Role modeling please and thank you are always the best way to teach!
Just remember don’t make them work too hard or help too much… where they become a parental child… as always a happy medium is good.
I came from a family where I had to do too much work so I’m always on the lookout for that… lol
Such valuable advice! We tend to take for granted how much we all need to feel needed, even young children. This is a great reminder of this important message. And it role models behavior good for our children to see. Thanks, Dr. Sally!