Today’s Parenting Tip:

Decide:      Preventing your child’s sadness can be a form of overindulgence.

Practice:   Pay attention to the times that your child is sad or disappointed today. It doesn’t have to be about something big.

It can be because he has to wait for something, can’t find something he wants to play with or wear, a friend can’t play, etc.

Notice what your first reaction is.

Do you want to try to talk him into feeling better, get him focused on something else, or give him something he likes to eat?

Stop yourself.

Remember that learning to deal with sadness is an important life lesson. Instead of your usual response, try letting him know that you are noticing that he is sad or disappointed. Hold him, hug him, or pat him.

Today’s Parenting Tip was inspired by our featured picture book, CLEVER JACK TAKES THE CAKE.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Birthday Parties, Part 1.