Monday’s Parenting Thought

1. For a very young child, give only two options at a time. “Do you want this or that?” The younger the child, the fewer choices he should be asked to make.

2. Make sure all choices offered are OK with you. Don’t give an option that you don’t want the child to choose.

3. For older or more mature children, offer more complex choices and help him sort out the pros and cons of each option. Do you want to take music or tennis lessons? Let’s think of the pros and cons.

When children make choices, they are learning to:

• Think for themselves;

• Know what their likes and dislikes are; and

• To trust their inner voice – the start of developing a conscience.

Inspired by the picture book, MORRIS THE ARTIST.

More about children and choices at The Benefits of Art, Choices, and Discipline: Part 1.