I was writing in my journal recently and pondering different ways to encourage my children. I came up with the following things to really focus on in our own family.
1. Praise them often.
Praise your children every chance that you get. It is so easy to find negative things to say, but even if you are having a bad day, you can turn things around by starting to look for the positive things (no matter how small).
2. Find good things to say. ALWAYS.
Choose to say only positive and constructive things. Bite your tongue and turn off the hurtful things that you could say. Find the good in everything. Remember Pollyanna.
3. Brag about the positive things they do, to other people, in front of them.
Find every opportunity to brag on your child in front of other people. I am not talking about the annoying and prideful kind of bragging, but rather turning all those times when you would or could share negative stories about your child into something positive. If you do need to speak negatively about your child (for whatever reason) do so in private away from their little ears.
4. Spend time with them. Make them a priority.
5. Value them over “stuff” because “stuff” can be replaced.
Your children are precious and priceless. They need to know that no matter what, they are more valuable than any “stuff” that they may break or any “sin” that they may commit. They need to know that you value them.
6. Have high expectations, but loads of grace.
Set the bar high, but have grace ready and waiting for when they fall short. Whatever your expectations are for your children, they will meet those expectations. Teach them while they are young to set higher expectations for themselves.
7. Teach them that they “CAN” do anything they set their minds to.
I want to teach my children that they “CAN” do anything. Our children are not allowed to say, “I can’t,” anymore. It is okay for them to try and fail, but it is not okay for them to not try.
8. Model perseverance, so they believe anything is possible.
Model perseverance. If we are lazy or we give up to easily, our children will follow the model we set for them. We need to show them that they can do anything if they are willing to put in the time and effort.
9. Believe in them.
Always believe in your children. Be their own private cheering squad. Help them get up and try again when they fall down. Never give up on them.
10. Help them to dream big.
Help your children to dream big. Help them to set out a plan to make those dreams a reality. Even if their dreams seem impossible, let them try. You never know what they can accomplish when you give them the support they need.
What ways do you encourage your children?
Honey is a homeschooling mama to five children and she can be found blogging over at Sunflower Schoolhouse about her family life, homeschooling, special needs, and whatever else comes to mind.
This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday.
Join 12,000+ Other Awesome People
Subscribe to the Real Life at Home weekly newsletter to get our latest content, exclusive free printables, learning activities, and ideas for celebrating with your family all year
I was just thinking this is good advice for encouraging husbands as well! 🙂 Really, a good reminder for encouraging anyone.
The praise is something I am working purposefully on right now with my oldest son and you are so right no matter how small – praise them! I know I love to be praised so it shouldn’t be that hard for me to praise him.
#5 hit our family today. Our 11yr old was drying dishes and he dropped my brand new crockpot crock, it broke into 2 pieces and cut his arm. He was crying because he dropped it. I told him it did not matter, I was just glad that he was not hurt (just a small cut). Extending grace & mercy can sometimes be forgotten when we are rushed and busy. Taking time to enjoy our kids helps us to look past these things.
Moe
God’s Blessings, Moe. Warms my heart.