Building a happy home and healthy children requires an intentional effort from every member of the family. It’s easy to turn on Netflix and have a day when you don’t have to pay attention to anything. Some days, that really is exactly what you need.
Practice gratitude each day – both alone and with your family. Practice gratitude every day. Just 15 minutes of gratitude each day has many benefits that grow from your heart, to the heart of your family, and on to your community.
Emotional intelligence is defined as “the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.”
This skill is one that is carefully crafted. Teaching this skill is not easy -- it requires allowing vulnerability and truth.
There’s no perfect way to parent. Having children means embracing the unpredictability of life. When you have principles to help guide the way you raise your kids and build your family, you’re better able to stay consistent throughout the ebbs and flows of life.
It can be disappointing and frustrating when kids don’t meet the expectations you’ve set out for them based on your values. When the same mistake is repeated over and over again, you may begin to lose hope. It’s natural to begin thinking of your child in a less positive light.
Life is in a constant flow of success and failure, of happiness and disappointment. This is the nature of life. It is uncomfortable and difficult, but going through difficulty builds resilience. If you find that your child has made a mistake, you may want to comfort them and solve the problem for them.
You’re the first source of knowledge for your kids. It is your job to prepare them for success in the real world. Part of this process means teaching your kids that there are consequences for all of our actions.
You may see your child be friendly to someone and then make a friend. This is a teachable moment where you can show your child that when you are kind and respectful, good things happen. Valuable teachable moments also come about when children do not meet expectations.
Creating a consistent household starts with values. Values are sources of strength and direction for everyone in the family. These can dictate the way the family makes decisions together. Values such as authenticity, honesty, respect, and love can flow into every aspect of the family.
As children grow older, they begin exploring their own identity. This can lead to a bit of distance between you and your child. This can be hurtful. You have worked so hard and you may sometimes feel unappreciated. Some parents try to connect with their kids by becoming lenient and acting more like a friend than a parent.