At times there may be weakness in the structure, and here you will find the tools to solidify learning.
Articles are updated frequently.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just this age. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Articles are updated frequently.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just this age. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Meeting Your Children's Needs
Children need you to also pay attention to their emotional needs. Maybe you disregard your children’s pleas for help, thinking their pleas are childish or temporary. Maybe you think your children are too temperamental, taking small things too seriously and making them into giant things. Maybe you think your children are just impossible to understand.
If you neglect your children’s emotional needs, your child may take failure too seriously and be devastated by defeat. They may have a tough time trusting people if they see parents as deceitful or manipulative. If your children see you neglecting your own mental and self-care, they may become vulnerable to more stress and anxiety. If your children receive no love or support from you as parent, they may lack confidence or become too self-critical, especially if you expect perfection or are pushing them too hard. If you blame your children for things they do wrong or see everything they do as wrong, your children become guilt–ridden and apologetic. They may be baffled by the consequences you apply if you are inconsistent in your discipline.
An unpredictable parent is a fearsome god in the eyes of a child. Susan Forward
Children soak up both verbal and nonverbal messages like a sponge. They listen to you, watch you and imitate you. Your actions are patterns of behavior that may negatively shape your children’s lives. They also want to be more like their older siblings. So, allowing humor that belittles each other can be extremely damaging in a family. Children take sarcasm and humorous exaggeration at face value. Making jokes at someone else’s expense whether from a parent or another sibling can be damaging. Children believe and internalize what parents and siblings say about them.
You may be neglecting or ignoring your children without even realizing it, by simply not listening to them. Put your phone down and make eye contact. Try not to downplay your children’s concerns. Be patient and present showing your children you really care about what they have to say and that their feelings and words are important to you.
If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. Abigail Van Buren
Some children feel severely neglected because their parents are just too busy or more concerned with their own needs to pay attention to them. Parents fail to see the progress their children are making in school or sports. They see their children’s mistakes as failures and reflections on them rather than learning opportunities. They embarrass their children by their own behavior.
Be the people in your children’s lives who lift them up and give them support whenever they need it. Be the genuinely caring parents your children love.
Teach Your Children About Boundaries
When we think of boundaries, we often think parents are the ones telling their children how far children can go with their behavior. Parents set boundaries like fences that tell their children when it is “enough” and what the consequences will be.
Children also need boundaries over their own personal lives to protect themselves from unwanted advances, to protect their own space, emotions and thoughts, feelings, stuff or possessions, time, energy and values. They need to learn to set boundaries and to honor the boundaries of others. They need to learn to take charge of their own lives and set clear rules for family, siblings, friends and classmates. Setting healthy rules for navigating relationships helps your children have better self-esteem, conserve their emotional energy (the ability to advocate for themselves), and have more independence giving them space to grow and accept failure and make mistakes.
Help your children know they have rights to their own thoughts and possessions. They can have choices to show their own level of comfort. Her sister cannot borrow her clothes if it upsets your daughter. Her brother cannot take her soccer ball without asking. No one can read her diary or journal because it contains her own thoughts and feelings.
If someone throws a fit because you set boundaries, it’s just more evidence the boundary is needed. Unknown
Your children have these basic rights according to Judith Belmont: say NO without feeling guilty, be treated with respect, realize their needs are as important as others, accept their own mistakes and failures, and not meet unreasonable expectations.
How can you teach your children to set and honor boundaries? Jennifer Chesak on the healthline website suggests your children learn to be assertive, not aggressive. Firmly, tell her sister that certain clothes are not hers to borrow and her brother can only have the soccer ball if he asks or if your daughter is not using it. She can use the “i” statement: I feel _______ when you ___because _____. She lets her siblings know what makes her upset or uncomfortable in a kind way. She may need to enlist your support or help to set this boundary if her siblings challenge her too much.
Teach your children to watch for cues when honoring other’s boundaries. Do her siblings or friends avoid eye contact, turn away, back up, limit their conversation, nod excessively or answer in a higher pitched voice than necessary? Do they laugh, talk too fast or with their hands? Do they fold their arms or stiffen their posture? Maybe she is crossing other’s boundaries.
Boundaries clue you and your children into behavior that might be harmful, uncomfortable, or unsafe and could be a “red flag” to abuse or other problems. Schedule a family meeting to talk about boundaries and discuss each other's boundaries and how important it is to respect those set by each family member. Even parents have the right to privacy when they post a “Do Not Disturb” sign on their doorknob.
Be An Olympian
If your children would like to compete in the Olympic Games someday after watching the games on the internet or TV, there are some things you will need to help them with.
First of all, if your children dream big, help them to know the challenges they face to make their dreams come true.
Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter who became a world-record-holding Olympic champion and international sports star following her successes in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. She became a role model for female athletes breaking barriers in the all-male field of track and field. Determined to play basketball and track during her teen years, she continued to compete and win. Her legacy lies in her efforts to overcome obstacles that included childhood illnesses and a physical disability due to polio to become the fastest woman runner in the world in 1960.
I ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.
In addition to determination, the ability to overcome obstacles, a competitive spirit and the desire to win, Olympic athletes need discipline and consistency in training showing up for every session over months and years. They practice their sport over and over in all kinds of weather. When their friends want to hang out, these athletes go to practices. They must have effective communication with their coach and follow his advice. They must focus on their goals despite anything else going on in their lives.
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Jim Rohn
These athletes show hopefulness in all settings, seeking out and achieving their goals. They are optimistic, knowing positive things will happen. They confront challenges with confidence, patience, and persistence. They are “learning machines,” staying motivated and realizing that they will never know everything there is to know about their sport. They are willing to learn from others as they compete in meets and share practice time.
Families of such athletes also make sacrifices for their children, taking them to practices and competitions spending time and money on training and travel. They see the focus and mental toughness their children show as they continue to enjoy the sport they love. They see their children follow the rules and regulations faithfully for the sport in which they participate. Friends and families support their athletes knowing the determination, effort and commitment of their young people that will contribute to their success someday. They see the internal motivation and the drive within their children that will ensure their growth in all aspects of their future life.
Are you ready to follow this path to be an Olympian family? Olympic athletes are a testament to human potential fulfilled. They are fine examples to our growing children.
The potential for greatness lives within each of us. Wilma Rudolph
Children need you to also pay attention to their emotional needs. Maybe you disregard your children’s pleas for help, thinking their pleas are childish or temporary. Maybe you think your children are too temperamental, taking small things too seriously and making them into giant things. Maybe you think your children are just impossible to understand.
If you neglect your children’s emotional needs, your child may take failure too seriously and be devastated by defeat. They may have a tough time trusting people if they see parents as deceitful or manipulative. If your children see you neglecting your own mental and self-care, they may become vulnerable to more stress and anxiety. If your children receive no love or support from you as parent, they may lack confidence or become too self-critical, especially if you expect perfection or are pushing them too hard. If you blame your children for things they do wrong or see everything they do as wrong, your children become guilt–ridden and apologetic. They may be baffled by the consequences you apply if you are inconsistent in your discipline.
An unpredictable parent is a fearsome god in the eyes of a child. Susan Forward
Children soak up both verbal and nonverbal messages like a sponge. They listen to you, watch you and imitate you. Your actions are patterns of behavior that may negatively shape your children’s lives. They also want to be more like their older siblings. So, allowing humor that belittles each other can be extremely damaging in a family. Children take sarcasm and humorous exaggeration at face value. Making jokes at someone else’s expense whether from a parent or another sibling can be damaging. Children believe and internalize what parents and siblings say about them.
You may be neglecting or ignoring your children without even realizing it, by simply not listening to them. Put your phone down and make eye contact. Try not to downplay your children’s concerns. Be patient and present showing your children you really care about what they have to say and that their feelings and words are important to you.
If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. Abigail Van Buren
Some children feel severely neglected because their parents are just too busy or more concerned with their own needs to pay attention to them. Parents fail to see the progress their children are making in school or sports. They see their children’s mistakes as failures and reflections on them rather than learning opportunities. They embarrass their children by their own behavior.
Be the people in your children’s lives who lift them up and give them support whenever they need it. Be the genuinely caring parents your children love.
Teach Your Children About Boundaries
When we think of boundaries, we often think parents are the ones telling their children how far children can go with their behavior. Parents set boundaries like fences that tell their children when it is “enough” and what the consequences will be.
Children also need boundaries over their own personal lives to protect themselves from unwanted advances, to protect their own space, emotions and thoughts, feelings, stuff or possessions, time, energy and values. They need to learn to set boundaries and to honor the boundaries of others. They need to learn to take charge of their own lives and set clear rules for family, siblings, friends and classmates. Setting healthy rules for navigating relationships helps your children have better self-esteem, conserve their emotional energy (the ability to advocate for themselves), and have more independence giving them space to grow and accept failure and make mistakes.
Help your children know they have rights to their own thoughts and possessions. They can have choices to show their own level of comfort. Her sister cannot borrow her clothes if it upsets your daughter. Her brother cannot take her soccer ball without asking. No one can read her diary or journal because it contains her own thoughts and feelings.
If someone throws a fit because you set boundaries, it’s just more evidence the boundary is needed. Unknown
Your children have these basic rights according to Judith Belmont: say NO without feeling guilty, be treated with respect, realize their needs are as important as others, accept their own mistakes and failures, and not meet unreasonable expectations.
How can you teach your children to set and honor boundaries? Jennifer Chesak on the healthline website suggests your children learn to be assertive, not aggressive. Firmly, tell her sister that certain clothes are not hers to borrow and her brother can only have the soccer ball if he asks or if your daughter is not using it. She can use the “i” statement: I feel _______ when you ___because _____. She lets her siblings know what makes her upset or uncomfortable in a kind way. She may need to enlist your support or help to set this boundary if her siblings challenge her too much.
Teach your children to watch for cues when honoring other’s boundaries. Do her siblings or friends avoid eye contact, turn away, back up, limit their conversation, nod excessively or answer in a higher pitched voice than necessary? Do they laugh, talk too fast or with their hands? Do they fold their arms or stiffen their posture? Maybe she is crossing other’s boundaries.
Boundaries clue you and your children into behavior that might be harmful, uncomfortable, or unsafe and could be a “red flag” to abuse or other problems. Schedule a family meeting to talk about boundaries and discuss each other's boundaries and how important it is to respect those set by each family member. Even parents have the right to privacy when they post a “Do Not Disturb” sign on their doorknob.
Be An Olympian
If your children would like to compete in the Olympic Games someday after watching the games on the internet or TV, there are some things you will need to help them with.
First of all, if your children dream big, help them to know the challenges they face to make their dreams come true.
Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter who became a world-record-holding Olympic champion and international sports star following her successes in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. She became a role model for female athletes breaking barriers in the all-male field of track and field. Determined to play basketball and track during her teen years, she continued to compete and win. Her legacy lies in her efforts to overcome obstacles that included childhood illnesses and a physical disability due to polio to become the fastest woman runner in the world in 1960.
I ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.
In addition to determination, the ability to overcome obstacles, a competitive spirit and the desire to win, Olympic athletes need discipline and consistency in training showing up for every session over months and years. They practice their sport over and over in all kinds of weather. When their friends want to hang out, these athletes go to practices. They must have effective communication with their coach and follow his advice. They must focus on their goals despite anything else going on in their lives.
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Jim Rohn
These athletes show hopefulness in all settings, seeking out and achieving their goals. They are optimistic, knowing positive things will happen. They confront challenges with confidence, patience, and persistence. They are “learning machines,” staying motivated and realizing that they will never know everything there is to know about their sport. They are willing to learn from others as they compete in meets and share practice time.
Families of such athletes also make sacrifices for their children, taking them to practices and competitions spending time and money on training and travel. They see the focus and mental toughness their children show as they continue to enjoy the sport they love. They see their children follow the rules and regulations faithfully for the sport in which they participate. Friends and families support their athletes knowing the determination, effort and commitment of their young people that will contribute to their success someday. They see the internal motivation and the drive within their children that will ensure their growth in all aspects of their future life.
Are you ready to follow this path to be an Olympian family? Olympic athletes are a testament to human potential fulfilled. They are fine examples to our growing children.
The potential for greatness lives within each of us. Wilma Rudolph