"Teach Them To Think"

I have read quite a few comments, tweets and posts lately expressing some less than desirable behavior from your kids at home or in school.

Believe me I was not born knowing how to raise, teach or mentor kids.  My knowledge has come from years of school and most importantly from raising 12 therapeutic foster care and 2 biological children.  Oh and those 24/7 childcare centers I operated along with my work in the Juvenile Court System didn’t hurt either.

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: Here’s your chance?

Well today is “FAVORITE FRIDAY” and I would like to know your favorite quote.

That may sound like a fairly simple straight forward question but the answer may not be as easy as you think.

Remember now, I asked for your favorite.  That means only ONE!

Most people I know have a few quotes they really really like.  So selecting THE quote may require extra pondering.

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: My favorite quote is . . .

Wow! when you really think about it, that’s a powerful question.

When kids are young and they do something inappropriate like steal another child’s truck or hit their cousin or talk back to their teacher, parents can often be heard saying “You owe John an apology, young man.  Now go over there and say you’re sorry”

Oooooh that sends memory shivers down my spine.  Probably because I have said that to at least one of my many children.

Well, kids certainly need to learn how to humble themselves and apologize when they are wrong.  Right?

Sooooooo, tell me something. 

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: Do you owe your child an apology?

It’s a new month and yep, I decided to change most of the daily themes again.

I know, unlike most people I like change.

So today is “Willing Wednesday” and I want to know:

What are you willing to do or change to empower your child for success (that means any child you raise, teach or mentor)?

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: What are you willing to change?

Today is “TALK TO YOUR KIDS” Tuesday!

I hope you are getting comfortable and learning the kinds of open-ended questions that are best for great conversations with your kids. 

Don’t stress if it takes time to come up with topics all by yourself, it will get easier with practice.

Now I have some good news and some bad news.  Which do you want first? LOL

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: Don’t stop talking to your kids now!

Today is “MIRROR MONDAY” and I issued a dare to parents.

Ask your child to complete this sentence:

I would describe my parent as  ____________.

If you’ve been following along, you know that “MIRROR MONDAY” is your time to honestly reflect on the seeds or weeds YOU are planting in your child’s life.

Some of you like the challenge and some of you won’t even talk to me on Mirror Monday’s, LOL!

So I want to share what my daughter said when I asked her the question today.  She’s 12 years old.

“honest, stylish, self-disciplined, principled, smart, and when you discipline us it makes sense from what I did, laid back but strict when you need to be, easy to talk to, excellent person to spend time with, determined, mom this is so hard because you do so much and you are just an all around great person”

Hey, don't stop now! Finish reading- Empowering Youth: What would your child say?