Best wishes for a New Year of peace, health and happiness! Here are some resolutions to begin 2014:
For Parents and Guardians:
• Listen more, speak less. Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings by listening to what they have to say.
• Acknowledge positive behavior. Make sure children know when they do something appropriate and positive.
• Strengthen your attachment with your child. Connect with your child’s emotional life. Talk and play with your child.
• Encourage independence. Express confidence in your child’s ability to master age-appropriate skills. Teach problem-solving skills.
• Limit your child’s screen time. Create time for reading and playing with other children and family members.
• Limit your screen time. When you are with your child, make sure you are with your child and not distracted by texts, apps and other interruptions.
• Say yes when you can and no when you must.
• Lead by example. Be the adult you want your child to become.
• Teach your child about your family.
• Express your thoughts and feelings.
• Ask trusted adults for help when you need it.
• Be confident in your ability to learn new skills.
• Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. They are necessary for learning.
• Be a good friend. Share, take turns, apologize when you mess up and accept their apologies.
• Respect other children. Don’t tease, bully or spread rumors about them.
• Make time to play outside and inside with other children.
• Learn about all the people in your family.
• Read books.
• Be a good student. Listen in class, cooperate with your teacher, follow instructions, complete assignments and ask questions when you are confused.
• The three basic feelings are sad, mad and glad. Tell a trusted adult when you feel sad or mad. Write your feelings in a journal or diary.
PARENTING WITH PETE by Peter Herbst, MSW, LCSW, runs every other Thursday in The Jersey Journal. Email questions to email@example.com. Comment at http://www.nj.com/parenting-with-pete/.