Parenting Workshop Petersburg Elementary October 26, 2009

WELCOME!!! If I had my child to raise over again I'd build self-esteem first and the house later I'd finger paint more and point the finger less I would do less correcting and more connecting I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes I would care to know less and know to care more I'd take more hikes and fly more kites I'd stop playing serious and seriously play I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars I'd do more hugging and less tugging I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often I would be firm less often and affirm much more I'd model less about the love of power And more about the power of love. Diane Loomans

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological Needs It is our role to meet the physiological needs of our children which include water, food, shelter, clothing, sleep, and medical needs.  According to the Mayo Clinic website, infants typically sleep at least 16 hours a day. Most preschoolers need at least 11 hours of sleep a night, and most school-age children need at least 10 hours of sleep a night. By the teenage years, nine hours of sleep a night is usually adequate.

Safety & Security  It is our role, as parents to protect our children and help them stay safe. (car seats, supervision, etc.)  Another way we can do this is by setting safe & healthy boundaries. (see handout)

Boundaries When setting boundaries, it’s important to keep in mind the following: Boundaries should be reasonable, age appropriate, and always consistent. If there is no consistency, there is no boundary. Boundaries need to be thought through, discussed, and enforced jointly by both parents. Boundaries must be clearly defined and easily understood by the child. All children will test boundaries, it’s a natural part of development. So long as the boundaries stay solid and consistent, the children will eventually and usually quickly stop testing them.

How do we set boundaries? CONSISTENCY Consistency is the ability to maintain a particular standard or repeat a particular task with minimal variation. Synonyms: Reliability, Stability

LOVE & BELONGNESS Love, Love, Love, and Love some more Accept your child for who are Do not compare  Math Lesson & Life Lesson WHEN YOU COMPARE, YOU SUBTRACT!

SELF-ESTEEM  Build up your child  Self-Fulfilling Prophecy ~ A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true.  Use positive affirmation  Let your child know, it is o.k. to make mistakes and strive for excellence at the same time.

Self-Actualizing  Vitality  Creativity  Self-Sufficiency ~ independent  Authenticity ~ the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine  Playfulness  Meaningfulness

Parenting Quote “Sometimes we're so concerned about giving our children what we never had growing up, we neglect to give them what we did have growing up.”Sometimes we're so concerned about giving our children what we never had growing up, we neglect to give them what we did have growing up. ~ Dr. James Dobson

Parent Involvement *** PARENT INVOLVEMENT IS THE #1 PREDICTOR OF STUDENT SUCCESS!

How Can You Get Involved? o Getting involved is as simple as stressing that your child’s education is important. o Have a place designated for your child to read and do homework. o Ask your child’s teacher for ways you can help at home.

How Can You Get Involved? (cont.) o Work with and support your child’s teacher. You and your child’s teacher are a team in your child’s education. o Make sure your child is at school everyday possible. o Read with your child. o Make sure homework is done before they turn on the video games, TV, play, etc.

Be An Example We are our child’s first teacher. Children will do what we do, not what we say. Take advantage of these years when your children actually think you’re cool (for it will soon fade.)

COMMUNICATE Ask your child about his or her day in a way that will get a response other than “nothing.” For example: “Which game did you play in P.E. today?” “What was your best part of the day?” “Did you learn about the letter Aa today?”

COMMUNICATE Try to eat supper together as often as possible. Make sure your children know you love them, not only by your actions, but by your words, as well.

Attention ***Children come into this world needing attention. If it is given in the home, then they do not need to seek it elsewhere.***

Parenting Quote “ “The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.”The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him. ~ Dr. James Dobson

What is one of the BEST things you can give your child ?

A good relationship with their mother/father

Thank you again for coming out tonight.