The young mother's words to her small children echoed in my head for
several days. While I realized she was probably warning them to not do
something against her wishes or something that could harm them, I can't
help but wonder about the effects that a situation like that, heard over
and over for a period of years, will have on their lives and their
ability to realize their potential.
Flash forward - It's 20 years later and now little Howard and Terry are
all grown up, sitting in a conference room where they both work as
marketing managers, having graduated at the top of their classes in
college.
The CEO is pacing back and forth saying, "Okay gang, what we need now,
if we want to save this company, are some really good ideas." As their
bosses words trail off, Howard and Terry are jolted back in time to that
day at the Eagle Diner. All they can hear is their mother's voice
telling them not to get any ideas. The conflict that this is causing has
blocked their creative abilities. The contribution they might have made
has been stifled by a poor choice of phrasing some 20 years ago.
I know this sounds a bit extreme but if you stop and think about it,
this happens all the time. We are constantly being conditioned by the
messages we hear, especially in our formative years.
We use phrases like "don't get smart" and then wonder why children are
doing poorly in school. There is a connection. Whatever is repeated,
over and over, will be absorbed into the subconscious mind of the
person listening, in this case your children. McDonalds knows this, as
does every other successful advertiser.
In my seminars I ask people to complete this phrase. Winston tastes good
like a ____. Even audience members in their 20's can complete this
advertising slogan, though it hasn't been used for more than 20 years.
The words you choose and the phrases you use repeatedly will have a
lasting impact on your children. Why not choose words that will help
them realize their potential as unique, creative, bright, loving,
powerful and successful human beings?
Imagine what could happen if you made a habit of using positive,
empowering, self-esteem building messages every day? Imagine all your
children could become!
Decide right now to create some positive messages you can implant in the
young minds of your children. Make a daily habit of using positive
messages when speaking to your children.
For example, you might say, "You know (childs name), every day you're
getting better and better in every way." (This is a take off on a phrase
from Claude Bristol's classic self help book, The Magic of Believing).
Dressing Girls For School
I have spoken to so many parents who tell me it is a monumental task to get
their younger daughters ready for school in the morning. Unless your daughter
has only one set of clothes to wear, she probably wants to change her outfit
three times before choosing the one she will "agree" to wear to school each day.
Here's how we solved the problem in our family...
3 Easy Ways To Make An Awesome Playroom
Are you irritated every time you walk past your kids playroom? Paper here, toys
there, the floor is strewn with stuff that you can't even guess what it is! Most
of us feel a whole lot better when things are organized. Is it natural to be
neat and tidy or is it a skill that must be learned? We'll let you worry about
that question but we'll give you a few simple ideas on how to make that playroom
fun again.
What should you expect at 6 weeks, 6 months or 1 year? We provide useful
milestones and developmental stages so that you can keep an eye on your
baby's development in the first year. Baby Stages
Ideas For Sharing Stories
With Children
This two-part article discusses the ways in which stories and
storytelling play an important role in children's lives. Techniques are
offered for using stories to help develop children's verbal skills and
imaginations. This is part one.
Who Owns The Problem; Parent or Child?
It is tempting for parents to assume ownership and responsibility for everything that goes on in the life of their child. However, when the parent jumps in too soon to solve the problem or give the answer, the child never learns to trust his own judgment and become a critical thinker.
Parenting - Making A Schedule This article on the benefits of scheduling your day as a parent
really struck home with me. It took me a while to work this out for
myself when I had young children at home, and I wish I had done so - and
benefited from the much calmer household that was the result - sooner!
