Monday’s Parenting Thought

Do you know what you need and want? Are you confident about the decisions you make?

Many adults cannot answer yes to either one of these questions. If we want our children to answer yes to these questions when they grow up, there are some things we can do while they are young.

1. Give them choices.
2. Avoid too many options. “Do you want carrots or celery for a snack?” is better than “Do you want carrots, celery, crackers or peanuts?”
3. Avoid very broad choices like, “What do you want for a snack?”

When children get practice making choices when they are young, they will be better able to:

1. Stand up to peer pressure
2. Make good, confident decisions.

Inspired by the picture book, MORRIS THE ARTIST.

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