Parenting Thought
Three things to know about making amends:
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When a child does something wrong he needs to be able to make it right again – to “get his star back on.”
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Doing something to make amends is so much better than just saying you are sorry. Making amends can repair a person’s view of himself at the same time it is making the victim feel better. Making amends is important even when the incident was an accident.
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Examples of ways children can make amends:
* If the child hurts another child, he can get ice or a bandage for the injury or offer to play the person’s favorite game to make him feel better.
* If the child breaks something, she can help fix it, pay to have it fixed, or offer the owner something nice to substitute for it.
(See Your Child Is a Star! for more about the star in your child.)
Spring’s Picture Books
We have been amazed at how much good parenting information is in children’s picture books – books that we hope you are reading everyday to the children in your lives – your own, your class, those you take care of. For each book, we are noting there is something in it to remind you of how to be the parent you want to be.
A reminder that your child has a star within him, and you can help it shine.
A reminder that you can help your children with sad and frustrated feelings when they can’t have everything they want.
A reminder how important it is for your children to learn to wait.
A reminder about what it means when your child says no and how important your response can be.
A reminder that it is important to help your child handle his or her aggression.
A reminder of how important it is for your child to have your attention.
Read All About It:
SELF-ESTEEM A FAMILY AFFAIR, Jean Illsley Clarke
GROWING UP AGAIN: PARENTING OURSELVES, PARENTING OUR CHILDREN, Jean Illsley Clarke and Connie Dawson
Surf the Internet:
children making amends
Picture Book Parenting 