Character Building from KidsDiscuss.com

3 Parenting Tips on Using TV as a Powerful Tool

Dear Parents,

Would parenting tips on how to use television effectively help you? If you worry your child is going brain dead watching TV, consider the 3 parenting tips below.

Television can be a very powerful learning tool. It is being used more and more in the classroom to inform students and stimulate discussion.

Teachers often assign students to watch an educational television show as homework. Television can be used to add to what is being studied at school. As a parent, you can also use television to teach ideas and values that are important to you.

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Here are some things you can do at home:

• Limit television viewing time. Remember that when children watch television it takes them away from other things such as homework, sports, and fun with friends and family.
• Monitor what your children watch. Encourage your children to choose programs that make them think, teach lessons, are free of violence and sex, and show characters who have values similar to yours.
• Watch television with your children. Ask questions: Why do you think that person did what he did? Would you have done the same thing?

Much of what television offers distorts life. You don't want your child's mind distorted too. Yet you can use TV as a powerful learning tool at home. How do you use television in your home? Leave me a comment. I'd like to know.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

 

3 Parenting Tips that Build Character with Tests

Dear Parent,

Would parenting tips on how to explain the importance of testing to your child be helpful? Building character includes taking tests. Successes are easy to enjoy. Failing is painful. Testing helps your child act responsibly, study, and keeping trying no matter the outcome.

If your child complains about tests, use the 3 parenting tips below. Be positive about testing too.

Talk to your child about testing:

1. Explain that tests are yardsticks that teachers, schools, school districts and even states use to measure what and how they teach and how well students are learning what is taught.
2. Most tests are designed and given by teachers to measure students' progress in a course. These tests are associated with the grades on report cards. The results tell the teacher and students whether they are keeping up with the class, need extra help or are ahead of other students.
3. The results of some tests tell schools that they need to strengthen courses or change teaching methods. Still other tests compare students by schools, school districts or cities. All tests determine how well a child is doing in the areas measured by the tests.

Having been an elementary school teacher, tests helped me see how I was doing, what the children needed help with, and figure out better ways for them to understand. I believe that tests are important yardsticks.

What do you think about tests? Leave a comment or email me at:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Parenting Tips for Bonding with Your Child with Music

Dear Parent,

How do you like your children's music? Are you into nursery songs? Do the latest tween hits appeal to you? What kind of music does your teenager listen to? Sometimes you'll enjoy their music and sometimes you'll hate it. Do your best to listen to their music for 30 minutes with them without putting it down.

Ask them questions about their music without being sarcastic. Ask sincere questions to help them think and evaluate their music.

Understanding their music is your mission. Avoid shutting down your child's openness about the music by forcing your opinion. Keep your real opinions to yourself. If the music has problematic words and values, your questions are very important.

Consider asking these questions:

What would happen if everybody in our neighborhood followed the advice in the music?

How does the rhythm affect you?

Does the music increase happy feelings within you?

Think up your own questions. Sometimes you'll like the answers. You'll see your family values shining through. Your child will enjoy bonding with you too.

How do you handle the music that your kids listen to?

Jean Tracy's Email

Enjoy parenting. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Parenting Tips from Experienced Parents

Dear Parents,

Do you ever get in power struggles with your child? Do you ever lose? How do you feel? If your child loses, how do you think your child feels toward you? Let's face it, some folks love to fight. They think yelling, belittling, and raising superior arguments makes them winners. Are they right?

Did you know that children will argue forever to get the last word? They'll go farther and last longer than most adults. At times like these, logic flies out the window. You'll be angry. Your child will feel powerful and think they've won because you quit fighting. In the end, everybody loses.

My counselor friend, Lori Holmes, advises, "Avoid power struggles with your child. If you lose, you lose authority in the relationship. If you win you make your child a loser."

Next time there's an opportunity to fight with your child, remember Lori's words. I believe they'll help you make the best choice.

What do you do when you and your child disagree? I'd love to know. Send me a note at:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

Love Letters ~ 3 Parenting Tips for Giving Kids Affirmations

Dear Parent,

Affirmations are love letters from you. They don't need to be long. If you'd like to send your child a love note, look inside.

Your child craves your loving words. Some parents have difficulty speaking from the heart. If you're such a parent, all you need is practice. Here are 3 small love letters that will get you started.

3 Love Letters to Share with Your Kids:

1. "I admire the decision you made when you…because…"

   Think about it, your child makes lots of good decisions. Decide which decision you'd like to compliment and then do it. You can write it as a love letter or just say it out loud. Either way your child will enjoy your kind words. He'll probably try to make more good decisions because he'll enjoy pleasing you.

    

2. "Your sense of humor tickles me because…"

   Every child likes to laugh. You probably do too. Telling jokes is a fun way to bring laughter into the house. Let your child know why you enjoy her sense of humor with a love letter. All you need to do is finish the above sentence. Put it under her pillow. She'll probably smile as she falls asleep. One more thing, get a kids' joke book at the library. Put a joke from it in her lunch box every day. Imagine the laughter from hearing her tell jokes at school and at home.

    

3. "I appreciate your kindness to others because…"

   Your child is kind to others. Recognize him for it. He might think, 'Dad wants me to be nice to others. I want dad's approval so I'll keep on being kind.' Your love letter or loving words encourage him to continue being kind. Children would rather be caught being good than be scolded for doing something bad. Focus on the good in your child and he'll give you more kind behavior.

Give your kids the affirmations they crave. Either tell them out loud or send them little love letters. Let me know the results. I'm always interested.

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to send love letters, discover 71 other affirmations in my Parent Affirmation Kit. It helps other parents worldwide. It can help you too. Pick it up at:

http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd009

Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parenting Tips ~ TV and Creative Kids

Dear Parent,

Do your kids watch too much TV? Are you worried by the violence, sex, and bad manners they see? Do you wonder which TV ideas rattle around in their heads? Inside find out what some parents did.

My cousins, Michele and Mark, tell parents, "Reduce watching TV!" This is what they did with their boys:

1. Played family games.
2. Explored wood shapes and shells washed up on the nearby beach.
3. Created fun games together.
4. Read books.
5. Built forts and a club house.

I've seen the results. Both boys are in excellent colleges. One is in graduate school. In fact, they live together in another state. When they come home to visit, they are friendly, enthusiastic, and fun to talk with.

Let's did a little deeper. You won't have to worry about TV influencing your child's thoughts and actions if you turn it off. Your children will learn to entertain themselves. Their creativity will grow. What a payoff!

Consider turning off the TV. Encourage your children to live their own lives instead of watching someone else's on television.

With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

 

Be an exceptional parent! Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

If you liked the above tips, and want to raise kids with character, consider my FREE Parenting Tips – 21 of the Best. They're at the top of the page. Find out what other parents think!

Send me your parenting questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

 

Family Values ~ Lovers are Better Parents

In a few months, I'll have a Marriage Guide ready for you. Inside this blog you'll find three of my 121 dating tips for parents.

My marriage began 40 years ago. Throughout the early poverty years, the many challenges and everyday problems, my husband and I have remained lovers. From time to time I will share my secrets to help you remain lovers too. Best of all, you'll be raising your kids in a stable, loving, and secure home. What better gift can you offer them!

Dating ~ 3 No-Cost Dates for Parents:

1. Star gaze together. We live in a beautiful world. All we have to do is look up and contemplate the stars and the moon at night. What movie could be more breathtaking! Star gazing is inspirational, sparkling, and free. Don't forget to hold hands too.

    

2. Set aside a special time to walk and talk about your children. Emphasize how wonderful they are, their sense of humor, and their special talents.

    

    

3. After you put the kids to bed, cook a candlelight dinner together. After dinner, move the table and make room for dancing.

When you remain lovers, you'll be better parents. Remember the fun times you had before you married? Having children is no reason to stop enjoying each other. Try these dates and let me know what you think.

Send me your opinions and questions and I'll send you a parenting surprise. Just email your question to:

Jean Tracy's Email

Become an exceptional parent. Subscribe to my Free Parenting Newsletter and receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids at:

http://www.KidsDiscuss.com

 With warm wishes for your parenting success,

Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS