The
beginning of the school year can be hectic for everyone. Getting the kids back in a routine and
managing all of the extra curricular activities is hard. As a parent myself, I understand. In an effort to be more proactive, this summer
I read several books. This one by Dr.
Meg Meeker called Boys Should Be Boys stuck out. In a portion of the book, she wrote about how
we schedule our kids in numerous activities and how it is stressful on the
children and us. She went on to say what
they really need is to spend more time with us.
After all, when we schedule them in activities they are away from
us. We are their first and most
important teachers; therefore, we need to find ways to spend more time with
them.
The next
time you are contemplating whether to put your child in another activity or
not, just say no. In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg reminds us that
we are the only people who can set our own boundaries. Our work, family, and friends will always be
asking more of us. We have to learn how
to say no and teach our children to do the same thing.
Research
shows that parents make the biggest impact on their kid’s future career and
financial choices. In the book How Children Succeed Grit, Curiosity, and the
Hidden Power of Character, Paul Tough uncovers the surprising ways in which
parents do – and do not – prepare their children for adulthood. The book has a
strong emphasis on performance character indicators like effort and resilience.
Next time your kid is working on a project, instead of concentrating on the
outcome praise them for their effort.
Parents are good about teaching
their children how to be polite and brush their teeth. As you plan ahead, are you teaching your
child how to be smart with money? Rachel Cruz and her father Dave Ramsey
released Smart Money, Smart Kids in April and it is a #1 New Your Times
Best Seller. In the book you will find
many everyday examples you can start using to teach your kids how to be
financially fit. The biggest tip I took away from the book is that more is
caught then taught.
Remember you are enough. If there is only one gift you can give your
child make sure it is the gift of you.
Do not feel guilty about what you can or cannot provide for your child. Celebrate the moments you spend with them and
be intentional about finding more time to make it happen. You
are enough!
